Charles Hayden

On March 28, 1927 in Renton, Washington (*needs confirmation), Earl and Maud Hayden (nee Boarman) welcomed their son Charles into this world. 97 years later, on September 9, 2024, with his 3 beautiful daughters at his side, Chuck Hayden left it. The mark he made is indelible. Descended from early Montana pioneers, he embodied the courage, resilience and dogged determination that defined his ancestors. Their legacy of adventure and storytelling was woven into his life, reflected in his words and in his artwork that capture both the spirit of the American West and his own life's great adventures. At age 15 he began painting in the Western Mountains. After serving in the navy during World War II, he returned home to pursue his passion for art, studying in California, Oregon, and Washington State. Recruited by the legendary ad agency N.W. Ayer and Son to work, not coincidentally, on the Wrangler account, he moved to Philadelphia where he settled in the city and bought a farm in Woodstown, NJ. It was during this time that he met and married the love of his life, Maria Antonia Sotelo. Together, Chuck and Toni raised Melissa, Michelle and Victoria first in Philadelphia and then Glen Ridge as he moved on to J. Walter Thompson in New York City. When he wasn’t working at the agency he often could be found teaching at the School of Visual Arts in New York or the Philadelphia College of Art. The one constant throughout was the farm. (*need more on this) Chuck operated a horse and cattle ranch near Woodstown, NJ, and remained an active rodeo cowboy, competing well into his later years. His design of the Cowboy Jeans and Shirts Campaign revolutionized cowboy wear, catering to the unique needs of riders.
A son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather. A cowboy, artist, teacher, author and musician. A friend to all and a mentor to many. Charles to some, Charley, Chuck, uncle Charley and uncle Chuck to others. And, to his wonderful team of caregivers, “Mr. H.” But mostly we will hear “Daddy” and “Grampa” when we think of him. He spanned generations, reinvented himself and evolved as life threw things at him, but never left behind the core of who he was...a gentleman. And a talented one, at that. He will be missed but we will always celebrate both how he approached life and the life he lived. And he will remain an inspiration to us and an example to follow.

Please join us in honoring and celebrating the life of Charles Hayden and tak a listen to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-takes-action/id1619519723?i=1000641950521