Jimmy Hays Traylor

Jimmy “Hays” Traylor passed away from complications related to Covid on December 21, 2020. He was 71 yrs old. Born and raised in Marianna, AR. Son of Julian (Joe) Traylor and Elizabeth (Betty) Traylor. He was a graduate of T A Futrall High School.

He leaves behind his adored wife, Roberta Berger Traylor, his three beloved children, Amy Traylor Gentry, Matthew Hays Traylor, and Emily Traylor Levine. Also, his sweet step children and grandchildren including a beloved step grandson, Jackson, who suffers from cerebral palsy, and whom Hays nicknamed Cowboy. He leaves his sister, Betty Jo Traylor Gyenes, his brother, Anthony Scott Traylor.

Hays was a good ole boy of the South. He was athletic, he was a student of history and he had a Masters in History. He led a storied life. He became a bounty hunter, a college professor, and a published writer. He had a photogenic memory. He could tell you the date Napoleon Bonaparte was born and the date he died. He knew all his aunts’ birthdays, his uncles’ birthdays and his cousins’ birthdays. He was asked how he knew all this. His modest answer was, “I just do.” He was brilliant in chess, played in national tournaments and was highly rated. He was not a religious man, but he was a spiritual man. This was always conveyed in his writings. He loved a good debate. He was a passionate Liberal, but he had many friends of all persuasions.

He did not suffer fools lightly. But this line from the famous poem by Sam Walter Foss describes him best:

“Let me live in the House by the side of the road and be a friend to man.”

It was a saying his grandmother proudly displayed on her living room wall.

If you look up the entire poem, it will give you a description of a man, a simple good man, a friend to all.

Hays Traylor was a friend to man.

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