By Chris Richburg
The life of award-winning composer/musician Isaac Hayes will be memorialized next week during a funeral service in Cordova, Tennessee.
The service, which will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday (August 18) at Hope Presbyterian Church, comes as the music world and fans mourn Hayes, who died Sunday (August 10), after family members found him lying unconscious on the floor near a treadmill at his home in Memphis.
Paperwork filed by Dr. David Kraus, Hayes’ family physician, listed the cause of death as a stroke, according to Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Shula, although no autopsy on the entertainer has been performed.
Hayes’ family is well aware of the affect the singer/actor had on the public as they addressed the tragedy with an admission of being "overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and love from Isaac's dear friends, colleagues and fans from every corner of the world, and we thank each and every one of them for their kind thoughts and prayers."
"While he was an iconic figure to many, to us he was husband, father and friend," the family said in a statement. "We will ever miss his love, wisdom, humor and the familiar comfort of his voice."
News of his father’s death triggered memories from the Grammy-winner’s son, music producer Isaac "Ike Dirty" Hayes, III, as he recounted a memorable conversation with his namesake.
"I spoke to my father just recently about working on his album, and he was excited as though this were his first project," Ike Dirty told AllHipHop.com. “I want people to remember my father for the creative, soulful, inspirational force that he was to music and African American people. He was legendary and shared his genius with the world. I also want to thank all of my peers and music industry colleagues who have reached out to express their love and prayers."
Hayes’ musical influence isn’t lost on Ike Dirty, who has carved his own niche by producing songs for Lil’ Scrappy ("Money in the Bank") and the Ying Yang Twins ("Drop").
The beatmaker is also noted for his work with various artists such as Redman, Keith Murray, Chamillionare, KeKe Palmer, Too Short, Blaque, Ruff Ryders, Black Coffey and Raz-B.
Ike Dirty further expressed his feelings on losing his father, admitting to having a mixture of emotions.
"I’m sad, I’m angry, I’m happy all at once right now. I have so many memories of being my father’s son. Little things that make all the difference," Ike Dirty said."Things that help me maintain right now. I can’t be too sad though. My father did great, great things as a musician, humanitarian, a father and a Black man.”
In lieu flowers, the Hayes family asks fans to celebrate Hayes’ support of the Stax Music Academy and his Stax Records Legacy, by sending donations to the Academy that are made out to Soulsville, 926 E. McLemore Avenue, Memphis, TN 38106.
Please specify "In memory of Isaac Hayes."