Michael Hays

Michael Stanley Hays, 62, of Idaho Falls, passed away May 1, 2017, at home following a brief illness.

Michael was born Feb. 8, 1955, in Weisbaden, Germany, to James Lee and Marajene Johnson Hays. He grew up and attended schools in Sacramento, California, and graduated from Foothill High School.

On Feb. 28, 1976, he was sealed to Wendy Anderson in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To this union were born four children, Seth, Heather, Jennifer and Alicia. Michael was an accounting and computer applications instructor for 21 years at Heald Business College in Sacramento. Michael and Wendy made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he owned and operated Personal Best Performance for 13 years. He was also a local athletic event director for events, including Race to Feed the Hungry, Rigby Triathlon and Run for the Cure. He also served as Idaho Special Olympics event director. Michael enjoyed teaching, mentoring, the outdoors, triathlons and spending time with his family.

He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various capacities, including Young Mens leader, seminary teacher, Boy Scouts of America commissioner, three-time bishop, bishop's counselor, high counselor and Idaho Falls Temple ordinance worker. Michael served full-time in the Washington-Seattle Mission from 1974 to 1976.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Wendy Hays, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; son, Seth Michael (April) Hays, of Pleasant Grove, Utah; daughter, Heather Lynne (Brian) Schwieder, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; daughter, Jennifer Rae (Matthew) Oxford, of Lehi, Utah; daughter, Alicia Rene (Matthew) Curtis, of Pleasant Grove, Utah; brother, Steven (Kathleen) Hays, of La Vergne, Tennessee; brother, Phillip (Michelle) Hays, of Novato, California; father, James Lee Hays, of Las Cruces, New Mexico; and 16 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marajene Johnson, and a granddaughter, Kadee Ann Curtis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 4, at Mountain View LDS Ward, 1450 Mountain View Lane, with Bishop Randall Wheeler officiating. The family will visit with friends today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave., and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.