Kenneth "Ken" Hays

Kenneth Hays passed away March 5th 2012 at the age of 91. Born in Smith Center, Kansas, February 25,1921 the oldest of 6 children, he attended Smith County schools before entering the US Army where he served in WWII. Upon returning home he went into farming, construction and carpentry.
On March 24, 1956 he married Thelma Moore and her 3 little girls. They were then blessed with another little girl to complete their family. Ken moved his family to Colorado. in 1960 where he worked for the US postal service. In 1973 the family moved to Medford, Oregon where they bought and ran Ken's Saw Shop. Upon retiring, Ken and Thelma spent 11 wonderful years in Oakridge, Oregon, fishing, golfing the Circle Bar Golf Course, and "making life long friends" returning to Medford in 2002.
Ken was a jack of all trades; carpenter, auto repair, and a great skateboard and stilt producer, known as "Daddy fix it" to his girls and all neighbor kids. His love for adventure took them on many memorable vacations; camping, boating and site-seeing. He had a passion for sports, always ready for a game of golf with his buddies. An avid Denver Bronco fan, he enjoyed restoring 66 Ford mustangs and cruising the valley.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Thelma, daughters Linda (Tom) Novak, Shirley Kaiser, Gina Blea, Judy (Dan) Hanson, 10 grandchildren, 11 great grand children and siblings Bill Hays and Joyce Keirn. Preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Ida Hays and 3 siblings. Services were held Friday March 16, 2012 at Hillcrest Memorial Park Chapel 2201 N Phoenix Rd, Medford, Oregon Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary, Medford, Oregon are in care of arrangements. www.hillcrestmortuary.com