Donald Lawrence Hayes Jr. more commonly known by most as "Donnie", passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the age of 44, surrounded by his loved ones after a long, hard fight with cancer. Donnie was born on January 20, 1978, in Tampa, Florida to Donald L Hayes Sr. and Connie Jo Hayes. He was the youngest of 3 children, 1 sister of who he has finally reunited with in Heaven. After graduating from East Bay High School class of 1996, Donnie joined the United States Marine Corp where he made bonds that lasted him a lifetime. After getting out of the service, Donnie began his climb to the top of the corporate ladder with Hillsborough County where he day in and day out proved the kind of role model everyone should be. He married the love of his life, Nichole Hayes, in October of 2007 and have shared a love so strong even the hurdles of life couldn't break. Donnie leaves behind three children, Alyssa Savacool 23, Dalton Hayes13, and Cooper Hayes 10, to cherish his loving memory and live every day as their dad would. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, taking naps with his granddog Moose, and coaching baseball. He loved to push his players to their true potential while instilling good sportsmanship and confidence in all of them. He touched more lives at the baseball field than he could count. His favorite thing to do of all, was all things involving Tampa Bay sports. No man would yell louder when the Buccaneers were losing than he would. Donnie never met a stranger that didn't end up a friend. He shined a light in the hearts of others that was indescribable. To say he will be missed is a complete understatement.

"A good heart has stopped beating, but a heart that has touched so many lives can't help but live on in those it loved."

Please join us for a Celebration Gathering on Monday September 26, 2022 for 12pm-2pm in the chapel, followed by a graveside service with full military honors.

Serenity Meadows Memorial Park & Funeral Home
6919 Providence Road
Riverview, FL 33578