David Patrick Hays

David Patrick Hays, 64, Topeka, died Friday, May 14, 2004, at his residence. He was born Sept. 9, 1939, in Oklahoma City, the son of T.J. and Sylvia P. Davenport Hays. Mr. Hays graduated from Del City High School in Del City, Okla., in 1957. He obtained a BSEE degree from Oklahoma University in 1969, and an MBA degree from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Mo., in 1992. He was a contract negotiator for the Santa Fe Railway for 32 years before retiring in 1996. He was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church, sang in the church choir and was a member of the United Methodist Men. He was a member and past president of the Ruf-Neks Club at Oklahoma University, and held a key to the Willoughby Lounge. He married Judith Kay Krulic on Nov. 21, 1962, in Ponca City, Okla. She survives. Also surviving are a son, Victor M. Hays, Topeka; a daughter, Sylvia K. Kun, Fort Riley; a brother, the Rev. Richard Michael Hays, Oklahoma City; and a cousin, Jean Arbuckle, Oklahoma City. A celebration of his life will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Counryside United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Memorial Park Cemetery, Topeka. Mr. Hays will lie in state after 2 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be sent to Oklahoma League for the Blind, P.O. Box 24020, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73124.