Austin Hayes

Austin Riley David Hayes passed away on Tuesday, December 27th, 2016 at 11:02pm, shortly after his 20th birthday. He was surrounded by family at the University of Utah Hospital during his final moments.

Austin was born on December 17th, 1996 in Logan, Utah to Karl Lynn Hayes and Jill Hansen Rice Hayes. Though his family moved frequently, Austin left an impression upon the hearts of all those who met him. He was a bright person, with a contagious and ready smile, and a love of learning.

While in school, Austin participated in the ROTC program and talked about joining the Army Rangers. He graduated from Syracuse High School in 2015 and his greatest dream was to become a famous writer; he also spoke often of traveling to Asia to live in a Buddhist monastery. Austin enjoyed strategy games and playing a family-invented sword game with his brothers called “Sockem’ Boppers”. More than anything, Austin loved adventure, the outdoors and being a part of nature.

Austin was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He thoroughly enjoyed learning, but due to a condition called “Misophonia” he found it difficult to fully participate in religious worship or school classes among large groups of people. Because of his desire to study and understand every aspect of life though, he began to explore other theologies and philosophies. Austin was open-minded to many different ideologies and looked for ways to connect them to each other, but felt that there was one truth that ties all things together. He found himself especially drawn to eastern philosophy and came to love the practice of meditation, which he often said brought him comfort during challenging times. Austin maintained a close relationship with God during his life through meditation, scripture study, prayer and studying his Patriarchal blessing.

Austin’s silly nature, big heart and sweet soul will be very missed by his family and loved ones.

He is survived by his parents Karl Lynn Hayes and Jill Hansen Rice Hayes, Ashley Nicole Soukup (sister), Christie May Seabury (sister) and Joshua Matthew Fielding Seabury (brother-in-law), Landon Monte Joseph Hayes (brother) and Natalee Ashlyn Hayes (sister-in-law), Rachel Adalia Hayes (sister), Savannah Lynn Hayes (sister) and Keagan Adam Porter Hayes (brother), and his niece, Taylor Lane Soukup.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers please make donations for suicide prevention to www.save.org.