May 6, 1951 �" November 19, 2010
Thomas Hayhurst died November 19, 2010 of cancer in Fresno. Hayhurst and his husband Dan Waterhouse were frequent visitors to San Francisco, and are known to many in the Castro, and in Bear and recovery circles.
Hayhurst was born May 6, 1951 in rural Kern County, and lived in Bakersfield or Fresno most of his life. He spent time as a civilian worker in South Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam War after high school. He lived and worked in Napa Valley wineries in the 1970s following college, and tended bar for many years. After entering recovery in 2000, he became a drug and alcohol counselor and had returned to university to further his education in the field.
He and Waterhouse first met in 2002, became partners in 2003, and legally married a few days before the November 2008 election. They were among the visible faces of marriage equality and equal rights in the Central Valley, long before Prop 8 and Meet In The Middle.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007, Hayhurst battled it into remission. In January 2010, esophageal cancer was discovered during a routine procedure. After primary treatment, that cancer returned sometime during the summer. He died at home where he wanted to be, with his husband looking after him.
Hayhurst helped organize Fresno's Pride Parade for several years, until his health wouldn't allow it. He was part of the Pink Triangle volunteer crew four years ago. He was also a member of the Golden State Bears.
A celebration of life is planned for early this year. Remembrances can be made to the donor's favorite community non-profit.