of Conway, AR

January 19, 1970 - May 19, 2022

Michael was loved deeply by his family and friends. He was a loving and caring man, and a very wonderful son to Linda. He was the kindest brother and best friend to his sister Michelle and his brother in law, Michael. He adored being an Uncle to David and Jonathan and enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons and other games with them and David's friend Sabrina. He was a very loving nephew to Richard and Judy Schroeder and his cousins Jeff and Gregg as well, all from San Jose, California. He also especially loved Perry and Betty Lou Wynn of Bald Knob, Arkansas.

Michael David Hares, 52, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022. He was born in Stanford, California, on January 19, 1970 to William and Linda Hares and soon became a California man! He was such an easy going, smart person and he was very funny! He participated in sports as a child and really enjoyed skateboarding. Later he played soccer and rugby while in college. He loved studying history and foreign languages. He was proficient in both German and French.

Upon leaving high school, Michael worked at the original Tower Records, fulfilling his love of music and further pursuing a dream of becoming a businessman, by opening his own underground record label store "Pirate Cat Records" in downtown San Jose. His extensive music collection includes everything from punk rock to heavy metal, classical and opera, and also the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tiajuana Brass. Eventually, Michael joined the Army Reserves and continued to find his way professionally. After the tragedy of September 11th, he came back home to attend school in Archeological studies. He surveyed the Mojave Desert and the coast line in Southern California and always had many interesting stories to share. He was proficient in mapping and Native American history. On one site a Native American tribe, officially named him "Two Rabbits". He had rabbit tattoos and marked his tool handles with his "two rabbits" image.

When his step-father passed away, he and his mother moved to Arkansas, where a new chapter in his life began. He played a great game of darts! We loved playing Baggo in the yard and poker on indoor days. He was a great cook as well.

Unfortunately, in December 2020, he developed Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4. He had a successful surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Michael never complained as he continued monthly treatments. Our family did not take this time for granted and continued to have family game nights. He beat us at everything. He was given another 17 months before his illness became untreatable and he went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Michael will be missed greatly by all who knew him.

Those left to cherish his memories are his mother, Linda Smiley; sister, Michelle Wynn (Hares); brother-in-law, Michael Wynn; and two nephews, David and Jonathan Wynn and extended family members and friends.

His loved ones who preceded him in death were his step-father, James Harvey Smiley; father, William Lionel Hares; maternal grandparents, Morris and Grace Stapleton; and paternal grandparents, Leo and Louise Hares.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Khaled Krisht and his team at CHI St. Vincent Arkansas Neuroscience Institute for the expert and loving care they showed Michael.

We would also like to thank Dr. Kerry Jordan, at the University of Central Arkansas for allowing Michael to participate in the outstanding program to assist members in our community with dementias including brain cancer.

We must especially thank all of our friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, church families and many more angels for prayers and assistance throughout the time of Michael's illness.

There will be a memorial service on Friday, June 3rd, at 2:00P.M. held at Roller McNutt Funeral Home, 650 Central Landing Blvd. in Conway, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, our family would like to continue to help make a difference in our community. Please donate here to the Michael David Hares Memorial fund, and help provide continued research, therapeutic activities and clinical practice for our health care students at the University of Central Arkansas: http://uca.edu/go/MichaelDavidHaresMemorial

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com