April 3, 1932 - January 31, 2015
Jerry L. Hays, Founder of Hays Utility Service Corporation died of cancer Saturday, January 31, 2015 at his home in Montgomery Texas. Surrounded by his family, he was 82.
On April 3, 1932, he was born in Henderson, Texas to Homer and Cora Hays. He is survived by his wife of 63 years; Ann Hays, brother Robert Hays of Henderson, son Donald Hays and wife Cynthia, daughters Cindy Wright and husband Danny and Leesa F Palmer and husband Gary.
Jerry and Ann have 8 grandchildren
Philip Wright and wife Joyelle of Montgomery, John David Wright and wife Sara of Montgomery, Jennifer Bracknell of Houston, Lane Valentine of The Woodlands, Amaanda Kosten and husband Thomas of McKinney, Texas, Jesse Taylor of Tomball, LeAnne Nichols of Kansas City, MO, and Trevor Kubena of Spring, Texas.
Jerry and Ann have 11 Great Grandchildren
Lenora, Maxwell and Oliver Wright of Montgomery, Chloe Wright of Conroe, Riley, McKenna and Maci Kosten of McKinney, Texas, Cammbria & Aurora J. Marshall of Tyler, Hadassah Hays of Kansas City, MO and Major Taylor of Tomball, Texas.
Spending his childhood in Laneville/ Henderson, Texas he attended and graduated from Henderson High School. It was here that he met the love of his life Dorothy Ann Lee.
Jerry and Ann were married in 1951 and soon after Jerry joined the US Army. He was sent to El Paso, Texas for basic training where he was later deployed to Korea for duties after the end of the Korean War. He earned the rank of Sergeant as he served an 18 month tour in Korea.
Jerry and Ann spent their early part of their lives building a business in the water industry "Hays Utility Service Corporation".
Jerry and Ann bought their first Motorhome in 1977. They became involved with local Motorhome organizations and began to travel around the country. Over the next 25 years Jerry & Ann traveled coast to coast through every state in the US. Through this time they made many friends and acquaintances. Traveling and Motorhome ownership became the primary passion for Jerry and Ann. Jerry also had a passion for outdoor work involving tractors and earth moving equipment and he volunteered projects for the community of Bethel and around the area where he grew up. After a 17 year stretch in Henderson, Jerry and Ann moved back to Montgomery, Texas to be closer to kids and grandkids.
Jerry was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003 and through 2 major surgeries he was able to enjoy 11 more years of high quality life absent customary cancer treatments. In 2014 the cancer caught up with him as he elected not to have any cancer treatments. Jerry passed in the presence of his family the morning of Saturday, January 31, 2015.
Memorial services for Jerry will be held Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at the Champion Life Center, 3031 FM 2920, Spring Texas 2:00 pm beginning with visitation from 12:00 - 2:00 pm.
Services will be directed by Reverends Jabo and Johnny Green.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
My condolences, Mr. Hays will be missed. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him when I was a young man. Many things he taught me then, still help me today. He is gone but not forgotten.
Wesley Wright
February 16, 2015
Ann, our deepest sympathy go to you and the family. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Maria and David Stephens
February 5, 2015
Don and Cynthia and all the Hays family:
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your father Jerry. He started a great company based on hard work and integrity which you continue today. I was pleased to have known Jerry and remember his retirement party. A truly great guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
John Chamberlain
February 3, 2015
Ann and family,
I'm am so sorry. My prayers are with you.
We Love You All,
Raymond,Ellen & Family
Raymond Lee
February 3, 2015
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Deborah Cariss (LRUD)
February 3, 2015
Don and Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Mr. Hays was a great man and I know he will be missed. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Steve Grychka
February 3, 2015
To Don and all of his family, my deepest sympathies.
Mark Wyckoff
February 3, 2015
Sorry to hear that your father passed away. I know his memory will live on in his family. Our thoughts and prayers are will all of you!
Bud and Annette
Bud Gessel
February 2, 2015
To Ann and all of your extended family, I extend my deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers. Having known Jerry since our childhood in the Bethel Community, I know he will be missed by everyone who knew him. Imogene Rowell Rives Maurer, League City, Texas
February 2, 2015
Don and Cynthia,
Words can not express our sorrow for the loss of your Dad. We all know he is in a much better place with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With all our love,
Sonny, Jeanette and Mark Dollar
Sonny Dollar
February 2, 2015
To the family, April and I send our heart felt prayers. Mr. Hays was indeed a man among men. His life was a testimony of integrity and character to all he came in contact with. I know he made me a better man and I am very grateful for that. I have never known anyone who received pure joy from hard work the way he did, what an example to us all. We were blessed to have known the man. David Wright
David Wright
February 2, 2015
Dearest Ann, Cindy and Danny
We know tht you will be missing Jerry, but he will always be with you because his love remains in your hearts.
We didn't have enough time with Jerry, but the time we did have was very sweet. He certainly loved life! Always a smile on his face and a helping hand to anyone that needed it. A wonderful friend.
You are all in our hearts and prayers. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything.
Love to all,
Cindy and Bob Booth
February 2, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate and honor his memory. May God give you strength and comfort in this time of sorrow.
John Grant
February 2, 2015
Our condolences and prayers to and for the family. His legacy lives on.
Jane Edwards and Raymond Kelley
February 2, 2015
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Jerry Hays. I always enjoyed meeting with him because he was a very smart man with a great sense of humor. He made me smile every time I saw him. The world lost a good man when he died. Please accept my condolences and know that you are all in my prayers. Karen Akiens
Karen Akiens
February 2, 2015
Our sincere condolences in our prayers Walter Zelop
Walter Zelop
February 2, 2015
Don,
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.You and Cindy are his legacy and a tribute to his memory. May God bless and hold in peace Jerry and his entire family.
Rich Doll, Spring Tx
February 2, 2015
Don and Cindy. ..I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing....my condolences to the entire Hays family.
Judy Mittelstaedt
February 2, 2015
Even though we had only known Jerry for a little over 5 years, we are pleased to have called him "Pa" along with many others. One of the sweetest, most gentle, and loving men on the the face of God's earth. Always smiling and never a negative word to say. Praise the Lord he now looks down on us from a cancer-free heaven with a cancer-free body beside His Lord and Savior. Truly missed, but always in our hearts for sure.
Jason and Lindsey Marshall and girls (Tyler, Texas)
February 2, 2015
Our heartfelt condolences to the Hays family, to Don and Cynthia. We are praying for Jerry's soul that he rests in peace in the hands of our Creator. Hugs to all and know that y'all are in our prayers.
Ray, Jhopi, Garrett & Grant Thornton
February 2, 2015
My deepest condolences to the family. Jerry will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in the wonderful family he leaves behind.
Harry Holcombe
February 2, 2015
I am sorry to hear about his passing. My thought and prayers go out to him and his family.
Garry Matocha
February 2, 2015
We are truly sorry for your loss and are praying for peace for the family and friends of Mr. Hays. God bless, Keith, Misty and Kendra Zimmerman
Misty Zimmerman
February 2, 2015
It was sad to hear about one of our Leaders in our field passed this past weekend. Mr. Hays will be truly missed, but his legend will last a lifetime !!!!
Jimmy Thornton
February 2, 2015
Our deepest condolences to the Hays family, and Don and Cynthia during this time of sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with you'll. May God bless you with peace and fond memories.
February 2, 2015
I have only worked at Hays Utility South for about 2 1/2 years but was lucky enough during that period of time to have met Jerry and Ann on several occasions. They were both very kind to me and that is the type of people that they are. Everyone here at our Company thought extremely highly of Jerry and he will be missed by all. He was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Gus Gustafson
February 2, 2015
What a prince of a man! Strong, gentle, kind, and humble. He built a strong legacy in his family and business, and I am extremely grateful to have been a recipient of his kindness and confidence. Pam and I are praying for this wonderful family to experience God's abundance of grace in this time of loss and the many days ahead.
John and Pam Crouse
February 2, 2015
Ann, we are sincerely sorry for your loss. Your family has meant so much to us over the years and we are blessed to have many fond memories. I will never forget the extraordinary kindness that you and Jerry extended to my mother and family during her difficult illness & death back in 1981. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Danny & Claudia Hohlt
February 2, 2015
He was my friend and I will miss him.
Danny Wright
February 2, 2015
Jerry will always be a major part of the memories around the Bethel
Community in Rusk County.
Judy Cook Evelyn Russell
February 1, 2015
Daddy, I will always keep my fond memories with you in my heart. I love you and miss you terribly.
Leesa
February 1, 2015
Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Leesa and Gary, and all your family during this very sad time. What a blessing that you were all there with him when he went to join his father in heaven; we should all be that lucky when our time comes. Thinking of you all..... Bob Weybright and Candace Agnew
February 1, 2015
Our condolences to the Hays family. We are praying for you all. With all our love, Johnny and Karen Green
Karen Green
February 1, 2015
My very best to Ann and the Family. May God provide you with everything you need during this trying time. Look to Him for the strength and comfort you need. I will miss my long time friend and am so thankful for the time we had together in recent time.
Don Marion
January 31, 2015
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