Terry Glenn Hayden

 
The streets of Mesquite and Balch Springs will be a little quieter without the roar of Terry Hayden cruising on his Harley Davidson.
 
Terry Glenn Hayden, sixty-five (65), of Mesquite, Texas, passed away at Dallas Regional Hospital in Mesquite on February 17, 2025.
 
He was born in Dallas in 1959 to Ishmal “Spooks” Hayden and Elizabeth “Liz” Hayden, who he loved and adored.  His parents gave him his middle name after the astronaut, John Glenn, and his father lovingly called him “Short Stack”.
 
Growing up, he enjoyed riding his go cart and minibike, and riding the family’s pony, Blackie, with his sister, Regina, until one day Blackie bucked him off.  The family spent many weekends watching races at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway.  He shared a love for baseball with his mother, Liz; they spent many hours listening to baseball games on the radio before television broadcasts became widespread.  Terry was also an avid Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks fan; he and a friend were once featured in the local newspaper at a Mavs game with their faces painted green.  At a young age, he developed a love for tinkering with motors, lawn mowers, and gadgets while tagging along with his father, Spooks, in the shed out back.
 
Terry attended Mesquite schools before becoming an entrepreneur and starting a carpet cleaning business, Steam Rite.
 
Terry had many extended family members that meant the world to him and his favorite role was “Poppy” to Katlyn Painter.  He was truly a man of his word and would do anything for those that he loved.  Terry also had a soft spot for his furry babies, treating each one like a valued member of the family.  For many years he had two black chows, Syble and Stupid, that were loyal companions to Terry.  Most recently, Terry had a little princess, Itty-Bitty, that ruled the household from her pillow throne.
 
Anyone that knew Terry knew how much he loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and playing foosball and pool.  He won many pool tournaments, even going to Las Vegas for national championships.  He was very generous as evidenced by the countless charity rides and fundraisers he participated in with his Harley buddies.  He also loved music, playing the guitar, going to concerts, and could tear up the dance floor with a mean two-step.  There wasn’t a Southern home-cooked meal Terry would turn down, and he loved desserts, especially coconut pie.  Jack Daniels, Marlboro Reds, and gambling were also things Terry enjoyed. He was also very spontaneous and adventurous; one of his fondest adventures was driving to South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
 
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his Sister; Regina Hayden McConnell (Don), Niece; Millie Rhoades Jackson (Kelvin), and Granddaughter; Katlyn Painter (Clayton) and a host of friends, neighbors, motorcycle buddies, and pool players.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 3:00pm at American Legion Post 504 in Mesquite, Texas.