Gene Eldred Hayden
- Sport
- Football
- Born
- September 22, 1944 - McNair, TX
- High School
- George Washington Carver High School - Baytown, TX (1962)
- Colleges
- Texas Southern University
- PVILCA Inductee Class
- 2016
Gene Eldred Hayden was born on September 22, 1944 in McNair, Texas to the late Lester Hayden of Baytown and Bertha Davis-Hayden of Wallisville, Texas.
He attended Harlem Elementary School in McNair and graduated George Washington Carver High School in 1962. In high school, Gene lettered in football three years. He played split end/tight end on the offensive team and defensive end on the defensive team. He also played basketball (forward) and tennis. He was a member of the 1961 football state championship team and was a member of El Circulio Espanol in high school.
Gene enrolled in college at Texas Southern University in the fall of 1962 for one year before he decided to move to California. In 1965 he joined the United States Air Force and served from 1965-1970. He worked for several companies before he was employed by the Lyondell Chemical Company where he retired from in January 2000 after 25 years of service.
In 1966, Gene married the love of his life, Betty Jean Perry-Hayden. They have been married for 49-years. They have three sons, Gene Hayden, Jr., Gerome Hayden and Steven Hayden, seven grandchildren, Johnell, Terrell, Camrie, Jayshawn & Caela Hayden and Avante and Charles Manning. Gene is a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Baytown, Texas - Pastor Ralphael Montgomery.