Herbert H. Hays

1931 - 2021

Herbert H. Hays

March 19, 1931 - November 4, 2021

Herbert H. Hays was born to Myrl W. Hays and Thelma Olive Haney on March 19, 1931, in the little town of Leadore, ID. His mother was assisted by two neighbor ladies. Herbert joined his older brother, Fred Hays.

They had a wonderful time growing up in Leadore. There were creeks for fishing and hunting small game and as they grew older, they had trap lines in the winter.

Herb cowboyed for a large cattle ranch called the Skelton Ranch in Leadore, ID, during the summers. He once rode on a drive of 900 steers from Leadore over the pass to Armstead, MT. The family moved to a large mink farm in Sand Point, ID, to help his father's sister.

When the ranch sold, the family moved to Moore, ID, where Herb went to high school for three years. The fourth year of school, he joined the newly built Arco High School. He excelled in basketball and was awarded a full ride scholarship to Idaho State. He went one semester, and his draft notice was in the mailbox in 1952. Herb drove to Idaho Falls and joined the Airforce. After training in Texas, he went to Castle Airforce Base in Atwater, CA. He was shipped to Lowery Air Force Base in Denver, CO, for school.

On a Friday night, Herb and a friend went to a dance club in Denver. That night he met the love of his life, Thelma R. Pahler; they were married on January 24, 1953. Herb and Thelma were married for 68 years, and raised four children on a farm in DeBeque Canyon. He also served five years on the Mesa County Farm Bureau Board.

He is survived by his wife; brother; three sons; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Any donations are to be made to Sandra Hays Sells Memorial Endowed SS at Colorado Mesa University Foundation, 1450 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Donations can also be made to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506.

A memorial announcement will be posted.