October 9, 2018

Linn County News

Published Oct. 10, 2018

Howard “Jack” Hayes, age 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, 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. 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 and Electric. While working full-time, Jack attended night school at San Diego City College where he graduated in 1961 with an Associate’s 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, and he worked for Bendix Corp. in Kansas City. In 1971, he went to work for Bechtel Power Corp. 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). 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; his sister, Dorothy Troth; and brother-in-law Bill Stroud. 

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

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. Condolences may be left online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.