Ernest Melvin Hayden

Ernest Melvin Hayden, 91, of Melbourne, was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ernest was born October 6, 1921 as the second of three sons to Oscar and Nobia (Jeffrey) Hayden in Optimus, Ark. He graduated from Batesville High School in 1939 and then attended Draughon Business School in Little Rock. He was a giving and caring follower of Christ, devoted husband, dedicated father and engaging friend to everyone he met. Following active military duty, Ernest returned to Melbourne where he married Nora Ann Miller in 1952. They were together for 58 years and raised three sons who were the focus and joy throughout their lives. He often gave credit to Nora Ann for helping him through a number of close calls with heart surgeries and regularly heaped praises on his children. Ernest volunteered and served proudly in WWII as a US Navy medic in the South Pacific Theater where he participated in eight amphibious invasions with the Marines, taking care of the wounded, and evacuating casualties. When his ship reached Subic Bay in the Philippines, the Japanese suicide bomber planes came in out of the sun hitting the third stack of the cruiser next to them. Another suicide bomber landed on an LST nearby and a third Japanese suicide plane hit an LCVT boat that was 30 ft. below him. In that one mission, the Lord blessed him again when the fourth Japanese suicide plane decided to drop a bomb instead of hitting the ship. Then at Okinawa, the Lord once again had his loving and watchful hand on Ernest when a bomb landed a few feet away but didn't explode. Following his return to Arkansas, Ernest took over the family farm on White River where he raised Herford cattle for almost 20 years followed by becoming a real estate broker. Later he set up a woodworking shop for furniture and wood crafts and developed a fondness for making things for his family and friends as well as selling his products at craft shows. Ernest enjoyed trout fishing on the White River and deer hunting which he continued by killing a deer last year. In recent years, he looked forward to visiting with friends each morning at the coffee shop and then in the final few months found much happiness in making friends at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Maumelle, Ark. Ernest gave thanks to the Lord for sustaining him during the war and through 10 surgeries especially in 2006. When the medical team had no options and only a prayer for a miracle would help, God brought him through the longest night of his life. When he shared his testimony in church and with young people, he quoted the Proverbs 3 verse "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths." Survivors include Robert and his wife Anna of Little Rock and Greg and his wife Sandi of Nashville, Tenn. and grandchildren Chris, Hillary, Whitney, Ashley and Chad Hayden. Also surviving are a number of nephews, nieces, and cousins. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nora Ann, son Carl, and brothers Howard and Dorr Hayden. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 28, 2013 at First Baptist Church, Melbourne, Ark. at 10 a.m. with Reverend Doyne Robertson officiating. Burial will follow at Melbourne Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 at Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Melbourne. Those wishing to sign the guestbook may do so at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.