Hayden Thomas Klemenok

Hayden Thomas Klemenok, 24, of Petaluma passed away suddenly and tragically on July 2nd, 2023. Born on November 11th, 1998 in Santa Rosa, Hayden spent the majority of his life growing up in Petaluma with his family and friends. As a student, Hayden attended Learning to Learn preschool, Sonoma Mountain Elementary School, Kenilworth Junior High School where he took classes as a music student from his father and graduated from Casa Grande High School with the Class of 2017. Hayden then moved on to attend Santa Rosa Junior College, where he received his Associate's Degree before transferring to San Diego State University. On May 13th, 2023, Hayden graduated from the San Diego State University Fowler College of Business with his Bachelors in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance. Hayden had just begun his first post-grad job at PorchLight Realty in San Diego, where he was working as a Financial Analyst while also studying for his real estate license exam. Hayden frequently told his family how much he was enjoying his new job, and how welcomed, supported, and appreciated he felt by his manager and new coworkers. Hayden was well known for his hard work, focus, his ability to learn quickly, and he was extremely determined to find success in his new career.

Hayden was also very well known for his passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Hayden was a committed gym-goer, and he enjoyed working out daily with his many friends. After moving to San Diego, Hayden became a very active member of Victory MMA Gym, where he found a new love in practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His coaches and fellow gym members remember Hayden as very hard-working, focused, someone they could rely on for support, and someone who was easy to get along with. Hayden enthusiastically took up the sport, frequently telling his family how much he enjoyed the mental focus and competitiveness of it. Hayden had begun entering and winning various competitions, and he was so excited and proud to have just received his blue belt at the end of April. He was looking forward to competing in more jiu-jitsu competitions in the near future. 

Growing up in Petaluma Hayden discovered his love for baseball alongside his younger brother Connor. He began playing T-Ball, and from there spent many years playing for the Petaluma Valley Little League, where he made many dear friends that he had remained close with to this day. Through the years he played on numerous all-star teams all the way through his run with the 12U All-Star Team. He also took part in many summer travel ball teams, where he enjoyed traveling with his teammates and an extra level of competitiveness. Determined to always be working on his skills, Hayden and his friends would frequently spend their days in the batting cages or working out together to stay in shape. Hayden eventually went on to play all four years for the Casa Grande High School baseball program. Following his high school years, Hayden was extremely excited to move onto the Santa Rosa Junior College Bearcubs baseball team. He embraced this new level of competition and continued his signature hard work to improve his skill level. He was also thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to play alongside many of his longtime teammates and friends. In an effort to keep his skill level up during the pandemic, Hayden was invited and very excited to accept a spot in a summer collegiate baseball league in Nebraska. His first time away from home, Hayden embraced the challenge of this new landscape and was very excited to go on to help his team win the league championship that summer. Throughout his expansive athletic career, Hayden won numerous awards and recognitions for his dedication and hard work.  

He was a very loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin. He never hesitated to give his family hugs and always tell his people that he loved them. After moving away for school, and despite his very busy schedule, Hayden made it a point to keep in close contact with his grandfather regularly and enjoyed lively conversations about World War 2 history with him.  Hayden truly enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends and stayed close with his people regardless of where he was living over the years. He highly valued friendship and his friend’s presence in his life, and would frequently spend as much time with them as possible when home from college. Hayden never ceased to show kindness to those around them and was always willing to offer his help when he saw a need. Hayden will always be remembered fondly for his quick sense of humor, gentle nature, big heart, his steadfast dedication to achieve his goals, his willingness to always listen to others, and much more. Hayden possessed maturity and life skills far beyond his young 24 years. As some of his current co-workers had put it, Hayden had “figured out life.”

Hayden will always be so deeply loved and missed in the lives of all who knew and loved him.  For being so young, he made such a positive impact on so many people. One of his co-workers said he was always such an attentive listener. When someone was talking, he gave them his undivided attention. In a daily morning team meeting at his job, everyone had to say one thing they were grateful for, and Hayden said daily that “he’s grateful to be alive and to be here.“ His family, especially, will always love him very much and they miss him every day. His family will keep his memory alive by remembering what he stood for and holding him in our hearts daily. We were blessed to have had him as our son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin. He was truly spectacular.

Hayden is survived by his loving family and friends, who all miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Ilse Uland, and paternal grandparents Walter and Barbara Klemenok. Hayden is survived by his parents, Michelle and Kevin Klemenok, and his siblings Trevor, Taylor, Hailey, and Connor. He leaves behind his Grandfather Tom Uland, Uncle Tim Livingston, Aunt Debbie Livingston (Klemenok), cousins Tim (Amanda), Peter (Chelsea), Barbara (Sterling), and Samuel. He also leaves behind his Uncle Keith Uland (Katie), and cousin Arthur Uland, Uncle Ralph Dieter, and cousins Lana and Paul Dieter. In addition to his immediate family, he also leaves behind numerous first, second, and great cousins, The Pollock Family of Santa Cruz, The Pollock and Miller Families of San Diego, The Wolanski Family of Germany, and his cherished circle of friends. 

A visitation will take place on Thursday July 27 from 4pm-7pm at Parent-Sorenson Mortuary, 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma. 

A private funeral service for family and close friends will be held on Friday July 28 at Elim Lutheran Church.  Burial to follow at Cypress Hill Memorial Park. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday July 29 at 12:00pm at the Marin Country Club, 500 Country Club Drive, Novato, Ca. 94949.  All who knew and loved Hayden are welcome to join us celebrating Hayden’s amazing life.  Please feel free to share your memories and good times with all of us.  Reception to follow.

A memorial fund in Hayden’s name will be established for a deserving athletic scholar to the Casa Grande High School Baseball Program.

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