of North Little Rock, AR
January 8, 1947 - October 4, 2023
Patrick Henry Hays was born in NLR on January 8, 1947 to Arthur Henry and Linnea Hays. He passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 after a valiant battle with cancer.
Mayor Hays served as Mayor for 6 terms and became the longest serving Mayor in NLR history. He also served as a NLR State Representative and a delegate to the Arkansas Constitutional Convention.
Mayor Hays is survived by his wife, Linda Culp Hays of 42 years; daughter, Josie Linnea Hays Staggs and husband, Dr. Brent Staggs; grandchildren, Savannah, Isabella and Harper Staggs; son, Kevin Lester and wife, Darla and daughter, Ainsley; sister, Cindy Scott and brother, Mike Hays; Cousin, Scottie Paige and family and all of the Kansas cousins, sister-in-law, Sheila Culp Calhoun and husband, Dr. Jan Calhoun; along with a host of friends and supporters. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to UAMS Oncologist Dr. Veeraputhiran and Oncology Nurse Tiffany Willis.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 3:00 PM at NLR First Pentecostal Church, located at 1401 Calvary Road in NLR. The Hays family welcomes all who would like to attend.
Arrangements under the direction of Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 JFK Blvd in North Little Rock.
Memorials may be made to NLR Animal Shelter.
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18 Condolence(s)
Mickey Ibarra
Friday, November 3, 2023
I was terribly sorry to learn from Lottie Shackelford today that Mayor Hayes passed away last month. The Mayor and I worked closely together while I served as the Assistant to President Clinton for Intergovernmental Affairs at The White House and remained friends for 20 years after we both left office. He was an extraordinary public servant dedicated to putting people first. I will miss Patrick Henry Hayes. May he rest in peace. 11/3/2023
Dave Wilson
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Pat was a dear, dear friend. I moved to Arkansas for Law School in 1970. I met Pat the first week in Fayetteville. Pat and I practiced together and worked and collaborated for most of the remainder of his life. Blessings to Linda and family. I will be unable to attend the funeral, but will be there in spirit.
Peggy Dean Williams
Thursday, October 12, 2023
My friendship started with Linda and her family when we worked together in Little Rock School District many years ago. I am sending my prayers to Linda and Josie and her other family members.
Love, Peggy Dean Williams and Catherine Williams
Peggy Dean Williams
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Sending my condolences to Linda and Josie and other family members in the loss of your husband and father.
Donna and Dan Bartell
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
What a great loss to both our city and his many friends and his family. Much heartfelt sympathy is sent. Donna and Danny Bartell
Dorothy J.Stephenson-Williams
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Prayers for the family.
Barbara Kincaid morris
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
I met Patrick Henry Hays on the playground of St. Pats Catholic School waiting for our daughters one day. He was running for Mayor and asked me for my vote. I told him I was voting for him as he had a very patriotic name. I can still hear his laugh! Great man, great leader, great name. So sorry for your loss.
Martin Chavez
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
I was honored to be a fellow mayor with Pat Hays. We traveled the world together and I was delighted to visit him when in North Little Rock. He adored his grandchildren and bragged on them regularly. Pat was beloved by his fellow mayors - I mean that - for his commitment to his community but also out of respect for his broader vision within the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He knew how to bring opposing sides together and it was evident from even the first meeting that he didn't have a mean or bad bone in his body. He was always a gentleman. He loved the opportunity to be Mayor of North Little Rock and his breadth of experience was an asset to mayors around the country. He was one of the mayors that other mayors looked to for guidance. Rest in peace my dear friend as you cross one last time that Dam Bridge you so often spoke about! Marty
Roy Draper
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
My sincere sympathy to Pat’s family. Pat was a good friend, DeMolay brother, and grew to be a great person. I’m truly sorry that I will not be able to attend any of the planned celebrations of his life. My prayers go out to all of his family. We have truly lost a good one but know that he is now not suffering and is in HIS kingdom.
Esther Heerboth Mahnken
Monday, October 9, 2023
Junior High and High School Homeroom Friends lends many loving memories of Patrick. He will be greatly missed by all of our classmates and many others. I can't express my gratitude for all he did during his lifetime. I know he's in a better place. Love in Christ.
Thomas "Boo" McDonald
Monday, October 9, 2023
Mayor Pat was an exceptional human being, family man, and dedicated public servant. He taught me a lot as a very young city council member, and set an excellent example of what public service should be all about....he loved to help people in every walk of life, regardless of your social status or influence. He was the same kind and caring person in private, as he was in public. Mayor Pat accomplished things that most people could not even dream of, his energy and work ethic was boundless. And the thing that I most admired about Mayor Hays is that he wanted to be your friend and help you succeed, regardless of your political/ideological affiliation...a rare positive trait indeed within our current social climate.
Linda, Mike, Cindy, Josie, and extended family, my sincere thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Please remember during this grieving period that Pat made a monumental difference in the lives of so many people, and he had a tremendous positive influence on my life that I will never forget. God bless you all.
Rosemary Baker Torrence
Monday, October 9, 2023
Cindy and family … my heart hurts for your loss. Pat was like a brother to me… you are in my prayers.
Vicki A. Stephens
Monday, October 9, 2023
Linda, so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Vicki A. Stephens
Monday, October 9, 2023
Linda, so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mike Huckabee
Monday, October 9, 2023
Pat was a great Mayor and a true pleasure to work with. He led NLR with efficiency and integrity and after being “evicted†from the Governor’s Mansion we made NLR our home and loved being there and his leadership of the city. I’m saddened by his death but he left a lasting legacy.
Harold Perrin
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Fidelity can be described in many ways for Patrick it was his unwavering love for his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family blessings
Bunny Adcock
Sunday, October 8, 2023
I'm deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my good friend and fraternity brother. Patrick had a big influence in my life while we were students together at the University of Arkansas. He will be missed.
Bunny
Marianne Bailey Wilcox
Sunday, October 8, 2023
I’ve known Pat for most of his life. He was one of my brother’s best friends and his dad Arthur was the same to my dad. He was an unparalleled mayor. So many progressive moves came from the mayor’s office during his tenure. He was a family man who always put his God first, his family next, and the city of North Little Rock high on his list of responsibilities and loves. He will be missed.