A.D. Hayes, 81, owned car dealerships in Gwinnett, N. Georgia

“He found a banker who liked him and liked his track record,” said a son, Tim Ellis Hayes of Gainesville. “Today, that car dealership is one of the largest wholesale parts dealers in the world for Chrysler, and it seems like we have been that forever.

“Daddy built that car dealership.”

And helped relatives establish others.

In North Georgia, Hayes and new cars are synonymous. The family owns five dealerships — the flagship store in Lawrenceville and one in Gainesville with the same name (Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep); Hayes Chevrolet, and Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Baldwin; and Hayes Pontiac Buick and GMC in Toccoa.

Old-timers may remember highway billboards that featured Mr. Hayes with his trademark white hair. Son Michael David Hayes of Hoschton, who now runs the Lawrenceville store, helped create the campaign.

“We ran those ads until the 1980s,” Michael Hayes said, “and they were quite successful. Dad was a self-made man. We’re all trying to follow in his footsteps.”

Albert David “A.D.” Hayes, 81, of Braselton, died Monday from complications of Parkinson’s disease. A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Flowery Branch. Memorial Park South Funeral Home of Flowery Branch is handling arrangements.

Mr. Hayes didn’t graduate from high school. He quit Southwest DeKalb High in the 10th or 11th grade. He opened the auto service shop in 1953, sold it, and 18 years later launched the Lawrenceville dealership.

In 1963, he moved from Decatur to Snellville, where he lived for 25 years before relocating to his farm in Jackson County. There, the animal lover raised Charolais cattle. At one time, he had a herd of 400.

“We had to sell them all,” Michael Hayes said. “The Parkinson’s got to him.”

In the community, Mr. Hayes belonged to the Gwinnett County Rotary Club. He served on the board of directors of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce. He retired in the 1990s.

Jimmy Ellis, vice president of Jim Ellis Automotive Group in Atlanta, said car dealers like his father — Jim Ellis — and Mr. Hayes today are few and far between. Jimmy Ellis’ father is the brother of Mr. Hayes’ wife of 62 years, Ann.

“They didn’t need contracts,” Mr. Ellis said. “Their word was their bond. They understood business and changes that were going on. They have gone through good times, boom times, bad times, $4 gas, no gas and, in the 1980s, 20 percent interest rates. They were very intelligent men.”

In 1997, Mr. Hayes shared the secret of his success.

“Paying my bills on time,” he said. “I’ve done without, but no one has had to ask me two times for money.”

Additional survivors include another son, Terry Hayes of Hoschton; a brother, Donald Eugene Hayes of Buford; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.