James Louis Raymond Hayes, homeless veteran, honored veteran

Funeral home, groups give final salute to homeless veteran

By GEORGE H. NEWMAN
The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 12, 2011
PLANT CITY James Louis Raymond Hayes died alone of lung cancer in an abandoned Tampa apartment.

No friends or family claimed the body of the 55-year-old Army veteran.

But a local funeral home and veterans groups made sure he was buried with dignity.

He was laid to rest after a May 12 funeral with military honors that included an honor guard. Members of the Riverview Detachment 1226 Marine Corps League provided a rifle volley salute.

The Rev. Jim Brady, pastor of East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, led the 30-minute service at Wells Memorial Funeral Home.

Wells manager Verna McKelvin said she couldn't bear the thought that a veteran would go to his grave unnoticed.

"It is sad that Mr. Hayes had no family or friends to care for his needs while he was living," she said. "But it's only right that a military veteran be shown a sense of dignity, even in poverty, when they die."
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James Louis Raymond Hayes