Kenneth Earl Hays

Kenneth (Ken) Earl Hays, 75, of Gardner, Kansas received his promotion to be with his Lord on January 23, 2009.

Kenneth was born October 26, 1933 at his parents farm in Harmon County, Oklahoma. While attending business college in Wichita Falls, Texas, he met Jeretta Riney and they later married; recently celebrating 55 years of marriage. Ken was a business-equipment sales representative for a number of companies during his career, including locations in Dallas, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Kansas City, Kansas and Edmond, Oklahoma. After retirement he continued to enjoy golfing, fishing, hunting, playing pool, working with pre-school age children at church and especially being a Papaw to three beautiful granddaughters.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jeretta; two sons and special daughters, Len and Terry Hays of Paola, KS and Richard and Kathy Hays of Herington, Kansas; three granddaughters and a grandson; Carolyn and Randall Weiss of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Allison and Emily Hays, both students at K-State. Kenneth was blessed to welcome his great-granddaughter, Audra Nicole Weiss, to the family in June.

Other survivors include two sisters Betty Colson and Shirley Pierce both of Hollis, Oklahoma, and brothers Roger and Roy of Olustee, Oklahoma and Nelson of Altus, Oklahoma, father-in-law, Harold Riney of Huntsville, Alabama, Hal and Kay Riney of Hideway, Texas; Jim and Diane Riney of Huntsville, Alabama and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sons Keith Earl and Ken Eldon Hays; his parents Albert and Verona (West) Hays; as well as two brothers and a sister.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 366, Gardner, Kansas 66030 or Kansas City Hospice House, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114.

Visitation and Funeral Service

As he wished, a celebration of life and visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2009 at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas. He will be buried at Pleasant View Cemetery in Shawnee, Kansas, next to his son, Ken.