Paul was born in Fort Worth in 1961 and attended Fort Worth public schools. He showed ambition at an early age and landed his first job at the age of twelve as a restaurant bus boy. By age fourteen he had been promoted to assistant manager. He also became a skilled juggler, entertaining customers by juggling potatoes from the restaurant’s kitchen. As a teenager he also worked in a pet store, trading his hours for pets he brought home, and later, as a plumber’s assistant.
At the age of 15 he bought his first car, a blue 1970 VW Beetle. Soon after, he bought a drag racing car, a Plymouth Valiant. He raced around the block every day, and later said, “The neighbors called the cops every day, but they would never get there to catch me. By the time they arrived, the car was nicely parked.”
Paul took the Master Plumber test the day he turned eighteen, becoming the youngest Master Plumber in the state of Texas. His plumbing career lasted until 1991 when he accepted a job at Fluor in Houston and worked his way to a position as Senior Director of Operations. In his 22 year career with Fluor he traveled frequently and made friends worldwide.
He held a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business from the University of Minnesota. He completed the Executive Construction Management Program at Texas A&M University Center for Executive Development.
In his spare time, enjoyed fishing, wine collecting, and restoring his classic cars.
During his illness he was a tireless advocate for cancer patients and spoke to cancer support groups with his message of optimism and strength.
Paul is survived by his wife, Laura, and his children Ryan, Spencer and Sydney of Houston, his mother, Patricia Hayes, of Fort Worth, two brothers, Mike and John, and his sister Susan. He is also survived by his Doberman rescue dog Riley, his co-worker and close friend, Susan Reece, and numerous friends and co-workers.
Paul was predeceased by his father, David Phillip Hayes, and his beloved dog Cooper Hayes.