Final Salute

n December 25, 2021, Lu-Ellen “Lu” Hays died at his home in Sage Flat, California, at the age of 84. Lu was born in Los Angeles, California, and lived in Canoga Park during his early boyhood. He spent the second half of his youth at his family home adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles. Lu graduated from Banning High School and attended Los Angles Harbor College before enlisting in the United States Navy at the age of 18. He joined a “Seabee” construction battalion in the Navy, where his lifelong electro-mechanical and craftsman skill-sets were initially sown.
In 1962, Lu married his beloved wife, Judith “Judy” Joyce, and began a deep partnership that would span a full 59 years. In 1969 Lu-Ellen and Judy moved to the Owens Valley where they began a family with the births of their two daughters, Nanette and Rachel. During these years, Lu began his 30+ year career managing increasingly complex systems for LADWP. He was a Power Switchboard Operator and eventually the Operator In Charge at both the Haiwee and Cottonwood power plants located south of Lone Pine.
Service to his country and his community was of the utmost importance to Lu. After receiving an honorable discharge from his initial tour in the U.S. Navy, he re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves, joined a unit based at China Lake NAWS, and dedicated an additional 16 years to serving his country. When restless, Lu channeled his energies into teaching Hunter Safety and CPR/First Aid courses, taking on the responsibilities of an NRA rifle instructor, and performing in an administrative capacity for the Board of Directors of the Olancha-Cartago Fire Department. He was a skilled horseman and leatherworker and enjoyed horse packing trips into the South Sierra and Monache Wilderness areas. Lu became a keen observer of the wildlife of the Eastern Sierra and familiarized himself with the unique habits expressed by many species. Given his general adaptability and lifelong curiosity, Lu was neither repelled nor bewildered by the advent of technology. He researched family genealogy through the internet, repaired his own and neighbors’ computers and printers, and managed software changes with less frustration than individuals half his age.
Lu is survived by his wife Judy Hays, daughters Nanette Huerta and Rachel Morrison, granddaughter Desiree, grandson Colton, and great-granddaughter Allessandra. He was preceded in death by his grandson and dear friend Chance Huerta in 2019. Lu leaves behind many in a layered accumulation of close friends who became family; sons-in-law who became sons; sister and brothers-in-law to whom Lu was dedicated; nieces and nephews; brothers in arms through military service affiliations; and neighbors who became beneficiaries of his willingness to share his knowledge and lend a helping hand – offerings Lu Hays usually delivered with a smile and a story.
Published by Inyo Register on Dec. 30, 2021.