Otis Leigh Hayes, 79

Otis Hayes, known to his friends as "Otie" and to family as "Uncan Otie," passed away on Saturday, April 3, after a brief illness.

Otie was born in Gage, Oklahoma on October 14, 1941 to Octie and Pearl Hayes, seventh of seven children.  Octie was widowed in 1942, and in 1951, she married Cordy Spake. They moved west to California with the three youngest children, Irene, Lola, and Otie.

Except for a brief move to Arkansas, Otie spent the next 44 years in South Gate, California, always living near his sister Lola, who he often called his "little mother."  He enjoyed racing motorcycles, watching the LA Lakers, and playing with his niece and nephew, Nina (Furlong) Falls and Eric Furlong.

In 1994, Otie returned to Oklahoma to be closer to his mom and Cordy, moved to Lawton, and continued his work as an auto-glass installer.  After a few years, he purchased a home in Oklahoma City and happily settled into retirement soon thereafter.  He spent his last years sharing his home with his cat Callie, who brought him much joy.

Always ready with a corny joke, Otie never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone.  He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. The family is grateful to Reagan Moreno for his friendship, and especially for his assistance while Otie was in the hospital and Covid restrictions delayed Lola from visiting.

Otie is survived by his sister, Lola (Hayes) Furlong, brother-in law Ed Czarnick, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Octie and Pearl Hayes; stepfather Cordy Spake; brother Calvin Hayes and his wife Louise; sister Ellen (Hayes) Bailey and her husband Ross; sister Irene (Hayes) Czarnick; brothers Gordon and Johnnie Hayes; and brother-in-law Rudy Furlong.

No Services.

Burial was at the Bickford Cemetery in Ellis County.