Services held Tuesday for former band director Tom Hay

Tom F. Hay, 77, died on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
A native of Trenton, he was born on Nov. 17, 1943, the son of the late Homer and Mildred Kilzer Hay. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin as the first music education graduate. Tom’s career spanned a variety of occupations, including education as a teacher and band director, fund raiser and tennis professional at the Jackson Country Club, where he directed his Junior Development Tennis Program. He was a competitive tennis player and was nationally and state ranked for several years. As a band director, Tom was known for the exceptional jazz, concert and marching bands at both Humboldt High School and Chester County High School in Henderson. Tom also enjoyed playing the saxophone and clarinet at churches and other events. He also participated in the Senior Olympics for a number of years.
Tom was a former member of Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was active as a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Jackson.
Tom was a dog lover and over the years enjoyed the companionship of his fur babies – Muggs, Puddin, and Princess – and his current fur babies, Zoe and Sweetheart.
Tom is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lisa Lewis Hay of Jackson; his son, Jason (Kelly) Hay of Bryant, Ark.; his daughter, Lea (Jacob Howard) Hay of Arlington, Va.; his brother, Steve (Becky) Hay of Trenton; his sister, Linda Carol Moore of Jackson; two grandchildren, Jackson and Spencer Hay; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, with Dr. Eddie Bromley officiating. Prior to the service the family received friends in Disciple Hall from 2-4 p.m. at the church. The family is requesting that memorial donations be directed to the Department of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin, 16 Mt. Pelia Rd., Martin, TN 38238 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.