Larry D. Hays

Larry D. Hays passed away on March 6, 2025, at the age of 84. He and his identical twin brother Jerry were born on November 11, 1940, to Marvin L. Hays and Hazel M. Reynolds. They were born at The Storks Nest Maternity Home in Phoenix, Arizona.

When Larry was about 14 years old, his friend Billy who lived next-door invited him to go to a drag race with his family. That began his love affair with cars. Larry graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1959 where he studied auto mechanics.

Larry spent 40 years as a mechanic for Tony M. Coury Buick in Mesa, Arizona. His specialty was air conditioning. He was part of the pit crew for two different race cars. One of which held the land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats for 30 years. He loved going to cars shows and car races. He was a master mechanic and received many awards and recognitions for his work. Larry was also a fabricator and an innovator. He developed a tool for which he was still receiving royalty checks from his design.

When his sons started cub scouts, Larry began his decades long interest in pinewood derby cars. He designed and built pinewood derby tracks that were used at races all over the Valley. He helped hundreds of cub scouts build cars and they were always fast. Larry was the Pinewood Derby Chairman for the Theodore Roosevelt Council for many years.

In1974 Larry joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained a faithful member the rest of his life. He served diligently in his church callings. He spent many years working in the laundry at the Mesa Temple. He loved to serve and help other people. Larry spent countless hours working on the cars of widows and single mothers free of charge.

Larry has two sons with his first wife, Steve and Tim. Larry’s second wife of over 50 years, Lynette, has three sons from her first marriage, Harry, Wade, and Kyle. Larry and Lynette married on September 7, 1973, and raised the five boys together.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Daisy and Marvalee. He is survived by his wife Lynette, 5 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, and over 25 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed!

A viewing will be held on Friday, March 21st from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.

A family graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 22nd at 10am at the Mesa City Cemetery.

The Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 22nd, at 11am at the LDS church at 613 N Stewart, Mesa, AZ.