Howard “Jack” Hayes

Howard “Jack” Hayes, 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at his home in Nevada, Mo., after a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by his family, including his six sons. He was born June 29, 1931, in Louisburg, Kan., to Sam and Madge (Smith) Hayes. He married his high school sweetheart, Marian Conley, on June 9, 1951, in Long Beach, Calif., just before he was deployed to the Korean War.

Jack attended school in Pleasanton, Kan. In 1945, he enlisted in the Kansas State Guard (later reorganized as the Kansas Army National Guard). He graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1950. He was the first in his family to graduate high school. Later that year, on Dec. 1, 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Hopewell (DD681) from 1950-1954, during the Korean War.

After Jack was honorably discharged from the Navy, he and Marian settled in southern California, and he began working for San Diego Gas & Electric. While working full-time, Jack attended night school at San Diego City College where he graduated in 1961 with an associates degree. While living in California, he learned to scuba dive and enjoyed diving in the bay of Baja, Calif. He was also a charter member of the local VFW, helping to organize the post in Chula Vista, Calif. In 1966, they relocated to Linn County, Kan., and he worked for Bendix Corporation in Kansas City. In 1971, he went to work for Bechtel Power Corporation where he traveled nationally and internationally building fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. He retired after 20 years as an electrical superintendent.

During his life, Jack was active in his church and community. In 1964, Jack joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed teaching Sunday school and had numerous other callings in the church. He also served as a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts (where he organized the BSA troop in Mound City, Kan.). He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. He was a great story teller and had a great sense of humor.

Jack is survived by his wife, Marian, of 67 years; his six sons, Mike and Nancy Hayes, Pleasanton, Kan., Craig and Pam Hayes, Nevada, Mo., Duane and Kathy Hayes, Rio Rancho, N.M., Jeff and Kim Hayes, Cherokee, Iowa, Douglas and Rosanne Hayes, Leavenworth, Kan., and Sam and Malu Hayes, Republic, Mo.; 23 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sisters, Ellen Mae and Richard Butts, and Margie Stroud, and brother-in-law, Raymond Troth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Madge Hayes, and his sister, Dorothy Troth, and brother-in-law, Bill Stroud.

The family will receive friends Sunday, Oct. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada. The funeral will be held at the Nevada chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Monday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m., in the Brooklyn Cemetery in rural Linn County, Kan.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Linsey, Don, Janelle, and Kyle of Heartland Hospice for their exceptional care and support of Jack and the family during his time of need.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Vernon County Cancer Relief fund.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.