Kent Hayford  August 18, 1950 ~ April 15, 2010
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 Obituary

 
Kent Hayford, 59, of Shreveport, LA., and formerly of Ogallala, died April 15, 2010 in Shreveport. 

Kent Lyle Hayford was born August 18, 1950 in Ogallala, NE., the son of Norman and Marjory Gotobed Hayford. He graduated from Ogallala High School in 1968 and attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

He served in the Army National Guard and was called for active service in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 and later was an Army Battalion Recruiter. Kent helped manage the family farm near Paxton and was an insurance agent in Ogallala with Modern Woodmen of America.

Kent married Barbara Cady on Sept. 1, 1968 and the couple made their home in Ogallala and three sons Keith, Kyle, and Kevin were born to this union. Barbara died on July 23, 1981.

Kent married Gail Sanborn Crook in 1983. The couple lived in Chandler, AZ and in Ogallala. Three children Kelvin, Kendall, and Gina were born to this union. Kent was active in the community, the Chamber of Commerce, helped organize the boat races, and was involved in the transfer of the Russian vessel to Ogallala for tourism. He was a member of the Ogallala Optimist Club and the Drovers. Kent was a member of the Congregational Church and served as a deacon. He also was a volunteer for fundraising events for the American Heart Association.

Kent relocated and was employed as a security supervisor at three Station Casinos in Las Vegas from 1994 to 2001. He received his EMT credentials in 1995. In 2005 and 2006 he was a security guard for Securitas in Brewton, AL. Kent was assistant manager at McDonalds Restaurants in Brewton and Atmore, AL. and in Texarkana, AR. He then moved to Shreveport in 2006 where he and Pamela Hebert founded KPH2 Management & Production. He also worked as a manager at Family Dollar Stores in 2008 and 2009. He was an active member of the Sleepy Brown Country Music Association. On December 23, 2009 Kent married Pamela Hebert in Shreveport.

Kent began teaching himself to play drums while in high school, and within less than two years was surprised to hear he had won the Nebraska Drummer of the Year Award. This was the beginning of a long musical career during which he toured and recorded with Mel Tillis, Tom T Hall, and Mo Bandy. Kent also made guest appearances and recordings with other celebrities including John Denver, Willie Nelson, The Highwaymen, The Bellamy Brothers, and Ricky Nelson and performed with several other bands, namely, White Water Jade, Crossroads, and Louisiana Legends. His most recent band was WANTED, a trio including Albert Anderson and Jerry French. His final musical endeavors were with KPH2 in producing CDs and playing drums on the recording "Joe Smith-Golden Remembrances" that included several of the original musicians from the Louisiana Hayride.

Preceding him in death was his wife Barbara, infant son Kevin, and his father.

Survivors include his wife Pamela Hebert Hayford of Shreveport; his children: Keith (Chong Mi) Hayford, Kyle (Nichole) Hayford, Kelvin (Amy) Hayford, Kendall (fiance Cindy) Hayford, daughter Gina (Geoff) Sharpe, his mother Marjory Hayford of Ogallala, his brother Phil (Sandy) Hayford, seven grandchildren, a niece and nephew and many friends.

Cremation was held and there will be no viewing. A memorial graveside service will be Saturday, May 1, at 4 p.m. in the Ogallala Cemetery. Rev. James Miller of the First United Methodist Church will officiate. A life celebration will follow at Front Street.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be sent to Pamela Hebert Hayford, 2675 Hoyte Drive, Shreveport, LA, 71118, for The Kent Hayford Memorial Fund which will assist young musicians to further their education.

Online Condolences may be sent by clicking here.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of local arrangements.