Bobby Hayes

Bobby J. Hayes, 77, of North Little Rock passed away September 29, 2014. He was born May 6, 1937 in Bonham, Texas to the late Edward and Oreta Jewell Goin Hayes. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Karen Hayes, of North Little Rock; and his son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Sally Hayes, of Troutman, North Carolina. He served his country as a Corpsman in the United States Navy. He quit his last daytime job September 6, 1963 as a cab driver in Santa Monica, California and became a career musician. He met Jimmy Driftwood at UCLA and Jimmy invited him to Arkansas where he settled. Bobby played with a group called the Rivermen that later became The Deep Water Reunion. He played the Bayou Room in New Orleans, were Jimmy Buffett was the following act, the Stardust in Las Vegas, and the Show Boat in St. Paul, Minnesota. He played a solo act at the Leather Bottle, Shakey's Pizza Parlor, Shug's, and Cajun's Wharf in the Little Rock area. Bob loved motorcycles, airplanes and was a private pilot. He was an avid walker and participated in many races. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. A reception/visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, October 6, 2014 at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.