Steven Warren Hailes

Steven "Steve" Hailes, 67, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away on March 26, 2025, following a courageous nine-year battle with dementia. Steve was born in Roswell, New Mexico, nine months after the famous alien sightings—a fact he often playfully remarked upon.

Steve was a proud graduate of Texas A&M, Class of 1980, and served with distinction as Seagram 7 Squadron Commander. After 22 years of service in the Air Force, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2002, having served as the Communications Squadron Commander at Tinker Air Force Base. Steve later pursued a successful second career as a Cyber Security Expert, retiring from Peterson Air Force Base after 17 years.

Steve was deeply devoted to his Christian faith and shared a passion with his wife and daughters for mentoring children through AWANA, a Christian program aimed at teaching children to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated member of the Overcomers Sunday School Class at Woodman Valley Chapel.

Steve had a lifelong love for aviation, often gazing skyward to identify planes flying overhead. A skilled builder, he crafted a two-seater gyrocopter and began constructing an experimental airplane before his illness intervened.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Eloise Hailes. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie "Mimi" Hailes; his precious daughters, Christy Ting (Curtis) and Betsy Hailes; and his cherished granddaughters, Genevieve, Stella, and Evangeline "Eva" Ting. He also leaves behind his sister, Sherri Little (Brian).

A private family burial with military honors will take place at Pikes Peak National Cemetery on April 3, 2025. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on April 5th at La Foret Conference and Retreat Center in the Black Forest.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to ministries dear to Steve’s heart. Contributions can be made to [AWANA] (https://missionary.awana.org/joseph-cook) or to [Bible Study Fellowship](https://www.bsfinternational.org/support/memorials-and-honorarium).