Gordon Ken Hayes

Gordon Ken Hayes
February 10, 1937 – August 5, 2025
Gordon Ken Hayes, 88, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025. Born in
Knoxville on February 10, 1937, he was the son of Kenneth Hayes and Ethyle (Gordon) Hayes.
Gordon graduated from Knoxville High School in 1955, where he earned the nickname “Fireball” for
his energy and skill on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. His undefeated senior-year
football team was later inducted into the Knoxville Athletic Hall of Fame—a testament to the pride
and joy he took in sports throughout his life. In later years, he was also known as “The Bald Eagle,” a
nickname that began as his CB radio handle and simply stuck.
On April 6, 1956, Gordon married the love of his life, Joyce (Barnett) Hayes. Together they built a life
full of hard work, family, and cherished memories. Gordon spent 30 years at Maytag Corporation in
Newton, Iowa, retiring at the remarkably young age of 48. Retirement didn’t slow him down—he
found joy in farming soybeans, baling hay, and lending a hand to neighbor Rich Goff with his farming
operation. Gordon’s generosity of spirit meant he was always ready to help others with projects and
repairs.
A true outdoorsman, Gordon loved tending to his large rural property, often working with his trusty
1948 Massey Ferguson tractor and 1948 GMC dump truck. He was also deeply fond of horses,
happily caring for his daughter’s horses at the barn and taking pride in their well-being. He hunted
deer, turkey, and pheasant, and in 1967, while bowhunting, harvested a deer that at one time topped
the Iowa state record books. He also enjoyed fishing—whether close to home in his own pond or on
trips to Canada—and camping with his family.
Family was at the heart of everything Gordon did. He never missed an opportunity to cheer on his
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their sporting events, and he was an
enthusiastic fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers.
Gordon was loyal, sometimes stubborn, and one of the hardest-working people you could meet.
Once described as “the grumpiest nice guy in the world,” his gruff exterior was paired with a
generous, dependable heart.
Gordon is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; children Jeff Hayes (Lori), Cheri Reynolds (Scott), and
Dan Hayes (Cletus); grandchildren Tori Hoke (Heath), Jessica Osterberg (Zach), Erica Goings (Peter),
and Dana Hayes; and great-grandchildren Layne Hoke-Ellis (Kody), Hayes Osterberg, Camrin
Osterberg, Malin Goings, and Ingrid Goings. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and
Ethyle Hayes, and his brother, Terry Hayes.
A memorial service and celebration of Gordon’s life will be held Friday, August 29, 2025, at 10:30
a.m. at Pierschbacher Funeral Home, 309 W Main St, Knoxville, Iowa. Memorial donations in
Gordon’s name may be directed to the S.O.S. program for the Ken Locke Stadium.
As a proud Hawkeye fan, Gordon would be delighted for attendees to wear their favorite Iowa
Hawkeyes attire in his honor.