Milton Gatlin Hayes

Milton Gatlin Hayes(M.G.) 89, of Salisbury, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026, at his residence in Salisbury. Milton was born December 1, 1936, in North Carolina to Claudie Hayes and Alma Hayes.

Milton served on the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for 40 years, retiring in 1999 as Captain. A self-described country boy from Coleridge, he spent much of his youth bicycling the backroads of Randolph county barefooted. During high school he was a star basketball player, his scoring average would have been higher but he usually fouled out by halftime.

While at Coleridge he fell in love with a young cheerleader, and Carol Jean Caviness became his wife. They were married for 45 years until her passing in 2003 and had two children Greg and Doug.

Milton's early jobs revolved around garages and service stations. Where one day he noticed a state trooper, he went home and told Carol he wanted to do something to make his son (Greg, age 2) proud. He applied for the patrol and was turned down because he did not weigh enough. He returned after a few weeks of eating bananas and loading his pockets with change and barely made the weight requirement.

He was assigned to Stanly County in 1959, where he patrolled until 1975. Promotions sent him to Concord, Salisbury, Asheville and Raleigh, but he always considered Albemarle home. He enjoyed spending time with family at the beach, on Lake Tillery and coaching his little league baseball team. He would always attend games Greg and Doug were playing in, even when he was working. He enjoyed Vegas trips, gardening, and restoring old cars.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Hartsell Funeral Home Albemarle. The funeral service will be on Wednesday at 3:00 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home's Lefler Memorial Chapel in Albemarle officiated by Danny Leonard . Burial will follow at the Stanly Gardens of Memory Mausoleum at 2001 East Main Street, Albemarle.

Milton Gatlin Hayes is survived by sons; Greg (Angela) of Carthage, NC, Doug (Leah) of Mocksville, NC,grandchildren; Jessica (Brian), Jennie(Todd),Madison(Rich), Zach, Hudson, Tyler and Emma. Six great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

Special thanks for the care and compassion given to Milton from Velma Cameron, Becky Wallace and Priscilla Clarke.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be shared to Stanly County Humane Society mail it to: 2049 Badin Rd, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Hayes family.