In memoriam: The Rev. Tom Hayes (1936-2026)

The Rev. Christopher Thomas Hayes III died Oct. 6, 2026, at the age of 90. He was born and raised in the Warrenton area and spent his career as an Air Force National Guard and commercial pilot before his ordination in the 1980s.

He began his ministry as an assistant at St. Stephen’s Culpeper from 1982 to 1984. After spending time working in Texas and New York, he returned to the Diocese of Virginia, where he served as priest-in-charge at Little Fork Rixeyville from 2003 to 2007. For many years, he offered his pastoral gifts and leadership to various churches across our region — including as an interim at Saint James’ Warrenton before Father Ben was called.

A funeral service will be held Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Culpeper. It will be livestreamed on the St. Stephen’s Facebook page.