Charles B. Hays

Charles B. (Chuck) Hays, 89, passed away peacefully at Bridge Haven Memory Care, Lawrence, KS. We want to thank the staff at Bridge Haven, Neuvant House Assisted Living Facility, Lawrence, KS, and Asend Hospice, also in Lawrence, for their compassionate care of Chuck since November.
Chuck was born at home in Osawatomie, KS, on October 8, 1935. He was the son of Walter and Violet Hays and the fifth of eight children. He graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1953 and was the first member of his family to attend college. He went to college on a ROTC scholarship and served in the Army reserves. As a senior Chuck was student body president. He graduated from Kansas State Teachers' College of Pittsburg (now PSU) in 1957 with a degree in political science. Soon after graduation, on June 9, 1957, he married Jo Ann Bevan of Pittsburg, KS. They moved to Topeka where he began law school, but after a year, returned to Pittsburg to complete his teaching certificate when JoAnn was expecting their first child. He taught at Pittsburg High School for three years, where he coached tennis, and spent summers working on the maintenance crew. From there, he became an associate professor of history at PSU. During this time, he also earned his Master's Degree in School Administration. The family moved to Atchison in 1972. For the rest of his career, he was an administrator for USD 409. He started as assistant principal at Atchison Junior-Senior High School and then became principal. When the schools separated, he was assistant principal at Atchison Junior High School working with Evelyn Harper, principal. He later became principal of Atchison Middle School where he completed his career in 1995. He served on several organizations in the community, including Happy Hearts, and was a USD 409 school board member for one term. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, gardening, golfing, and hunting and fishing with his friends. He loved a good practical joke.
He was preceded in death by his brothers; Ray, Bill, Bob, Walt (LaVelle), sisters; Ona Mae and Diana, and his favorite son-in-law, Dan Glennon. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, JoAnn, Lawrence, KS, daughters, Karen Glennon, Atchison, Wendy Agnes, Atchison, and Nancy Hays, Lawrence and son, Curtis (Nancy) Hays, Lawrence, his sister, Linda (Sam) Carter, and sister-in-law, Margaret Hays. Chuck has six grandchildren, Nathan (Ashley) Dame, Nicholas (Brandi) Dame, Bryce (Abbie) Agnes, Carly (Alex) Hackathorn, Chloe (Alex) Karkhoff, and Cara Hays. He has five great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Donations to the Atchison Public Schools Educator's Excellence Fund may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home who has been entrusted with arrangements or may be made by using this link: https://www.atchisonfoundation.org/donate/USD-409-Educators-Excellence-Fund#top-of-form