Neil S. Hays, 87, of Liberal, Kansas died Tuesday at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal. He was born October 26, 1932 in. Ringwood, Oklahoma, the son of Guy L. and Ora (Hipsher) Hays.
He graduated from Ringwood High School in 1950 and then graduated from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture.
Neil married Eva Jean (Jackson) Hays on August 6, 1955 in Cold Springs, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on February 16, 2020.. They were married for 64 years. He loved is family and was very proud of his daughters, grand children and great grand children.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 including several months in Germany.
Neil was a farmer and rancher. He was active in Farm Bureau and served on the Perryton Equity Board. Through the years he was very active in the church serving in many capacities, including Sunday school teacher, member of the church board, and many other activities. He currently attended First Southern Baptist Church.
Neil is survived by his three daughters Karol McKee and husband Steve, Karen Fiorini and husband Dale, Becky Pape and husband Stephen; grandchildren, Joshua Pape and wife Ashlie, Stephanie Courtney and husband Braden, Kevin Fiorini and wife Allison, Timothy Pape and wife Ashlyn, and Aaron Fiorini; great grandchildren Luke Pape, Noah Pape, Scarlett Courtney, and Samuel Fiorini; sister Carolyn Christal, brother Jay Hays and wife LaDonna; nephews Ritchie Hays and wife Kim, Randy Hays and wife Noami.
Neil was preceded in death by his parents, wife Eva, brother in law Jimmie Christal, sister in law Jane Hays and nephew Rodney Hays.
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Visitation will be Friday, September 4th, 2020 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 West 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas 67901. Family will be present to greet friends from 6 pm to 8 pm. Funeral service will be Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 2:00 pm ạt First Southern Baptist Church, 621 North Western Avenue, Liberal, Kansas with Rev. Mark Cress and Dr. Kent Walkemeyer presiding. Interment will be in Restlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Cal Farley Boys Ranch or the Gideons, in care of Hornung Family Funeral Home.