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Leonard Scott Hays

04/02/1959 - 05/12/2023
Service Date: 06/03/2023
Service Time: 10:00am
Service Location: Bunker University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85213

 

Scott was born in Neodesha, Kansas. When Scott was 5 years old, his father’s career moved the Hays family from Kansas to Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. After almost 3 years in Australia, the Hays family moved back to the United States. Later, Scott’s family relocated to Singapore for several years, where Scott attended high school.

Scott developed an interest in photography as a teenager. Before college, he spent a year as a forensic investigator and evidence photographer in the Chicago suburbs. He graduated from the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. He pursued a career in various types of photography (e.g., advertising, commercial, industrial and fashion/glamour) across Santa Barbara, San Diego, and the Phoenix Metro area. He became a tenured photography instructor for 13 years in Tempe, Arizona, leaving a lasting positive impact on his students. In approximately 1985, he founded Scott Hays Photography and Media Production. In his later years his clientele boomed like never before as he specialized in head shots and lifestyle images. This he truly loved to do. His camera, he considered his third child.

Scott was a dog lover and a lifetime Kansas City Chiefs football fan. He was known for his wit and humor, but most of all, his kindness. He was a respected mentor and impacted many in the film and photography fields. In 2017, he joined Kids in Focus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth through photography.

Scott was predeceased by his parents, Mr. Leonard Allen Hays and Mrs. Tempie Park Hays of Scottdale, Arizona. He is survived by his daughter, Sierra Hays Dzafic (Izzy), his son, Maxx Hays, and his two grandchildren, Tarik and Razia. Scott was a dedicated father and grandfather; he was deeply loved by his family. Also left to cherish his memory are his three sisters, Carol Freitas (Mike), Marcia Hays, and Rebecca Chambliss (Steve) and many nephews and nieces.

 

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

 

Condolences

  • Rick & Nora Gulsvig

    We are sending our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

  • Gelman and Michele

    We are so sorry for your loss. Scott was a good friend and a great coworker. He will be missed.

  • Suzanne Brown

    Scott was loved by so many people. When I first got into this crazy acting business Scott was one of the first photographers I met. So talented and so patient. I loved Scott so much and I am praying for healing hearts for his family and hundreds of friends. Scott you certainly be missed!!

  • Suzanne (Sunny) Simmons

    Most sincere condolences to Scott’s family. He was always a gentleman, I will remember his wit and kindness forever.

  • Mark R. Heath

    I am sorry I didn’t get to know Scott while I lived in AZ. He had a very interesting career in photography. May he rest in peace. Mark Heath (father to John Heath, and Allison’s husband). God be with him. Mark

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