Michael Jay Hayden

Michael Jay Hayden departed this life on Dec. 19, 2011. He was born in Mexico, Mo. on Feb. 28, 1954. He was proceeded in death by his father, Charles Hayden. He is survived by his mother, Betty; his wife of 30 years, Mary; daughter, Melissa Settle (Sam); two sons Matt (Ashley), Kyle (Mayson); two sisters, Marcy Hayden of Houston, Texas; Janice (Robert) Johnston of Alexander; nephews Brian (Sonia) Fisher of Houston, Texas; Drew (Aubrey); niece Sarah; great-nephew Hayden and great-niece Evelyn Fisher. He was the loving grandfather of Landry and Loghan Settle of Fort Smith. He was an employee of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. Mike's hobbies included watching his favorite football teams, the Bryant Hornets, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Dallas Cowboys, and working on his 1990 red Corvette. Mike had a great sense of humor even until the end, which he shared with the staff at UAMS and Saline Memorial Hospice. Mike's family asks that in his honor, smokers try to find a resolution to quit smoking. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the UAMS Cancer Institute Auxiliary. A celebration of his life will be held at the Griffin Leggett-Forest Hills Funeral Home on Dec. 27, 2011 at 6 p.m. www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.