Lt. Colonel Dale H. Hayes, Sr. was born on October 10, 1930, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He died on November 27, 2025, at the age of 95, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Hayes, his father, Jesse B. Hayes Sr., his brother, Jesse B. Hayes, Jr., his wife Bernadine Hayes, his daughter, Karen Hayes Ordogne and survived by his sons, Thomas P. Hayes and Dale H. Hayes Jr. (Sharon), his eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Dale grew up in Morgan City and attended Sacred Heart Academy. He graduated from Holy Cross High School in New Orleans. After one year at college, he enlisted in Company “B” of the National Guard and later enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army. After attending Officer Candidate School, he served for 24 years and rose to the grade of Lt. Colonel. He served overseas for nine years, fought in two wars, including Korea and Vietnam. He held high level Executive and Command positions in Europe, the Far East, Vietnam and the Pentagon.
Among his many decorations were the Purple Heart, Three Bronze Stars for Valor and eighteen other awards and decorations.
Dale retired from the U.S. Army to attend Law School at 42 years of age. He had a B.A. Degree from Nicholls University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Loyola University. He was a practicing attorney in Morgan City for 43 years, serving as City Attorney for 25 years.
Dale lived a big life, and he lived it loudly. The hardships of living during the Great Depression and the ravages of war forged a strong, confident resiliency in his character. He was truly fearless. He was always happy and unburdened by life’s slings and arrows. To see Dale and Bernadine dance the jitterbug was a real treat. Dale was an avid runner, pounding the pavement of Morgan City for 30 years. He was often seen running shirtless at noon in August unaffected by the tortuous heat. Nobody could grill steak like Dale Sr. Sunday dinner at Mom and Dad’s house was a great family tradition.
Dale was a lifelong Catholic and attended Holy Mass faithfully. He served as reader and was a member of the school board of Central Catholic High School.
The family would like to thank the staff at Maison Jardin Assisted Living and Ochsner Hospital Hospice Health unit and all those who cared for Dale. He was the life of the party at M.J.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 5, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Sal Istre officiating. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. After Mass, Dale will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum, where military honors will be rendered by Ft. Polk and the Patterson Memorial VFW, Post 12182. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that masses be offered for the Repose of his soul.
