James "Jim" Henry Hays

January 14, 1952 - February 28, 2023

Stephanie Jennings posted on Facebook of the recent death of Jim Hays.

James "Jim" Henry Hays,  passed away on February 28, 2023, from cancer. He was 71 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Laura Davis Hays, son Gabriel, granddaughters Sadie and Gemma, two brothers, nieces and nephews, and many extended family members and friends.

After college graduation, Jim and Laura moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where Jim started a construction company, Hays Associates, Inc, specializing in authentic adobe buildings and green subdivisions. He was passionate about reclaiming arroyos by building checkdams and ponds to gather the water and stop erosion. He planted and transplanted hundreds of trees, and many desert plants and native grasses. His final project, an elegant residence in Santa Fe’s Las Campanas gated community, is still under construction.  

Jim was a gentleman, a protector, a father, a husband, and a mentor to many. At Rice, Jim majored in History and Economics. He remained a student and philosopher throughout his life, always in search of truth and beauty. He loved his life, sitting on the back porch watching the fire at sunset, sipping a greyhound, reading poetry aloud to his wife, or laughing with friends.. He will be sorely missed.

Jim Hays, local builder, beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend, passed peacefully on February 28, 2023, with his wife, Laura, and son, Gabriel, at his bedside. He was 71 years old.

Jim was a gentleman, a protector, an intellectual, a friend, a visionary, an environmentalist, a mentor, and a warrior against the cancer he fought for 6 years.

Jim was born in Weslaco, Texas, and spent his youth in Houston. He graduated from Rice University in 1973 with a degree in Economics and History. He met his wife, Laura, there, and after graduation, the two moved to Santa Fe, NM, sight unseen, sent off by a double rainbow.

After a brief stint working in restaurants, Jim entered the construction industry. In 1985 he founded Hays Associates, Inc. Jim built dozens of homes over the years-many authentic adobe-and green subdivisions, notably Kachina Hills, where he lived for many years. His many clients often thanked him for their lovely homes and his professional service. He was passionate about reclaiming arroyos by building checkdams and ponds, and he planted hundreds of trees and many native plants and grasses. His final project, an elegant residence in Las Campanas, is completing construction.

Despite his illness, Jim enjoyed a quality of life near the mountains he so loved. He played golf and loved relaxing in front of one of his many fireplaces with family and friends always around.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, John and Anne Hays, and brother, Jerry Hays.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Laura Davis Hays, his son Gabriel Hays, daughter-in-law, Holly Hays, granddaughters, Sadie and Gemma Hays, brothers Jeffrey Hays (Houston), John Hays (Austin), nephew David Hays (Santa Fe), nieces Amanda Stodelle, Jeri Rosenthal, Rachel Coyne, Natalie Glitz, and Ali Lyles, and many special friends who were close at hand to ease his passing.

A Celebration of Life is being planned August 4 in Hyde State Park.

Published by Santa Fe New Mexican from Apr. 19 to Apr. 23, 2023.

Jim Hays established, owns and is president of Hays Associates, Inc., a company engaged in planning, design and construction of homes, landscapes and neighborhoods. Jim’s talent and vision have guided the company for over 30 years. His attention to detail and care are apparent in the projects undertaken by Hays Associates, Inc., which include over 125 homes valued from $200,000 to over $2,000,000.

Jim also has a lifelong interest and substantial experience in land restoration, storm water management and erosion control. Ecologically friendly developments include Pueblo San Marcos with 18 adobe and frame town homes and Kachina Hills with 25 lots and homes for the more affluent homeowner.

Jim graduated from Rice University with a degree in History (1973) and has since taken courses in both Solar Energy and Natural Stream Design. He has served on the City of Santa Fe Planning Commission, the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity, the City Long Range Planning Committee and the Arroyos and Watershed Committee. Jim also enjoys golf, skiing, scuba diving, and back packing in the Rocky Mountains. He and Laura Hays have lived in Santa Fe since 1973, many of those years with son Gabriel, now a professional musician and composer in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife Holly from Santa Fe, and their two young daughters.

Laura Hays, co-owner and Vice President of Hays Associates

Laura Hays is co-owner and Vice President of Hays Associates, Inc. She has been involved in the company since its formation, in the early years providing on-site craftsmanship such as fine quality flagstone patios and landscaping. She continues to provide accounting services to the company and its subsidiaries, and helps to establish company goals and evaluate business opportunities. Laura is a strong advocate of adobe building, and eco-friendly development.

Laura graduated from Rice University with a BA degree in mathematics and psychology. After graduation, Laura and Jim moved to Santa Fe where they began their careers, purchased and remodeled their first adobe home, and raised their son, Gabriel. Laura worked in a range of jobs including as a Realtor and a computer consultant. Over the years, she developed expertise in several computerized accounting systems. Today she is the owner of Systems Services, an accounting consulting firm with a variety of clients including property owners, builders, and an RV park.

In 2016, Laura published her first novel, Incarnation, the story of a young scientist who grapples with past life memories. Incarnation has been well-reviewed on Amazon and is available for purchase in local bookstores and on-line as e-book and print book. (Insert Link to Incarnation on Amazon). Laura continues to promote Incarnation with talks and readings, radio and television appearances, and blogs on her website, lauradavishays.com. She has completed a number of other works including Chosen, Book I of The Atlantis Material, for which she is currently seeking publication.

Laura and Jim enjoy an active business relationship, as well as family life, travel, music, and sports. They live in a beautiful adobe home overlooking the city of Santa Fe.

https://haysinc.com/about-hays/

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/santafenewmexican/name/jim-hays-obituary?id=51687807