ROCK HILL – John was a well-respected legislator, and a fair and even-handed Judge who cared deeply about serving his community and his State, while also loving his family as a husband, father and Pop Pop. He will be remembered for how effortlessly he combined wisdom with warmth and wit and how he showed kindness to all.
John learned from his parents the importance of public service. As a teenager, John served at Camp Gravatt, and led Sunday School classes at The Episcopal Church of Our Savior, where he was a member since 1959.
John graduated from Winthrop Training School in 1963, but not before serving as President of his Class and Chairman of the Prom Committee. Little did he know at the time, but the friendships he formed at Winthrop Training School would last him a lifetime.
John began his first year of college at the University of the South (Sewanee), transferred to the University of South Carolina (USC), received his B.A. degree in English and began law school in 1967. He entered military service as a U.S. Army Reservist during the following school year and served in the Army for six years with Co. D 391st Combat Engineers Battalion. Returning to law school, he obtained his J.D. in 1971. While in law school, John served on the Law Review and had two articles published therein.
After graduation John clerked for then S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph R. Moss before joining the firm of Hayes, Brunson and Gatlin with which he practiced until his election to the bench. He served in the S.C. House of Representatives from 1981-1984, S.C. Senate from 1984-1991 and served on numerous civic and law related boards and commissions. He served on the S.C. Coastal Council from 1980-1991 and chaired it for four years.
As a member of the House and then the Senate, John chaired several committees, including the Probate Reform and Tax Reform committees. When he asked why he was chosen to chair the Tax Reform committee when he knew little about it, Senator Waddell stated, “I’m not appointing you because you know anything about income tax. I’m appointing you because you know how to run a meeting.” Both the probate and tax codes were rewritten while John served as chairman.
He sponsored legislation including, but not limited to, the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Beachfront Management Act, the abrogation of blue laws, and the implementation of seatbelt laws. He proudly served on the Winthrop University Board of Trustees.
While in the legislature, he found time for a cameo as a state trooper in the CBS television miniseries “Chiefs” starring Paul Sorvino, Billy Dee Williams and Charlton Heston where he was cast as an officer with the line, “Run ‘em in!” Despite his stardom, he believed the two most significant moments of his legal career were the first pleading he signed as an attorney, and his first day serving in the House of Representatives.
John was honored by his colleagues in the legislature in a Concurrent Resolution for how much he achieved for his districts, his constituents, and his State through “his quiet and compassionate but compelling leadership.” He “demonstrated his skill in working with people, his knowledge of the issues, and his ability to obtain consensus while maintaining camaraderie . . .” H4040
In May 1991, John was elected to the Circuit Court bench of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit to fill the unexpired term of Judge Robert L. McFadden. Judge Hayes’ term began September 3, 1991, and 25 days later, he married Sarah Lynn Dorsey and doubled the number of his children from three to six. John served as a Circuit Court Judge until his retirement on December 31, 2017. As a Jurist, Judge Hayes presided over civil and criminal cases and helped establish a case management system that moved thousands of pending cases, helping to resolve the worst backlog in the state.
During his 26 years on the bench, Judge Hayes also mentored 28 young lawyers who began their legal careers with the honor of serving as his law clerk. Judge Hayes not only cared about his clerks professionally, but personally, as he took great pride in the life each would lead. He conveyed sage advice to his clerks like, “As you navigate through the sometimes rough and tremble practice of law, do not lose your sense of humor.” If Judge Hayes’ law clerks were able to see further than others, it is because they stood on the shoulders of a giant in the legal profession, The Honorable John C. Hayes III.
In his 26 years on the bench, Judge Hayes presided over many notable and newsworthy cases. He was proud to vacate the convictions given to the Friendship Nine civil rights protestors who went to jail in 1961 for trespassing at a whites-only lunch counter in Rock Hill. During the memorable hearing in 2015, Judge Hayes stated, “We cannot rewrite history, but we can right history.” He then signed the order that vacated the trespassing convictions. After retirement, he served as Judge on active retired status, helping the State with complex civil cases. Even with his accomplishments as a lawyer, legislator and Judge, he loved his role as husband, father, and Pop Pop more than anything.
John is survived by his wife, Dr. Sarah Lynn Dorsey Hayes; children John C. Hayes IV (Cynthia) and grandchildren, John C. Hayes V and Thomas; Mary Scott McLaurin (Barnes) and grandchildren, William “Kean”, Barnes, Hayes and Frances; Frances Parker (Telfair) and grandchildren, Telfair III and Mary Scott “Scottie”; all of Charleston; Matt Nance, Jessica Dorsey Rushing (Chris) and grandchildren, Dorsey, Hayes and McCall, all of Rock Hill; Tyler Nance of Charleston; sister, Susan Hayes Kelly (Reginald) of Rock Hill; his long-time secretary, Frances Kirkman, and his 28 law clerks who are firmly convinced they clerked for the finest Judge in South Carolina.
John is predeceased by his father, John C. Hayes, Jr., mother, Frances Rippelmeyer Hayes, and sister-in-law, Miriam Johnson Dorsey.
A Celebration of Life and Resurrection with Military Honors will be held on April 16, 2023, at 3:00pm at Winthrop University’s McBryde Hall, (695 Scholars Walk, Rock Hill) and will be officiated by John’s childhood friend, The Reverend C. Alex Barron. The family will receive guests after the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Winthrop University Foundation, 302 Tillman Hall, Rock Hill, SC 29733; Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 542, Rock Hill, SC 29731; or Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731.
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.