Robert "Bob" Hays

Robert “Bob” Lewis Hays was born on October 23, 1933 to Clyde Verner Hays and Pearle Ellen Terry Hays in rural Enid, Oklahoma and passed from this life on July 11, 2020 in Kiowa, Kansas.

Bob attended a one-room country school near Red Rock, Oklahoma through seventh grade.  He then graduated from Kremlin, Oklahoma High School.  At age seventeen he started his retail career at Montgomery Ward in Enid.  In 1957 he met his future wife, Grace Brainard, who also worked for Montgomery Ward, on a Booster trip for the Cherokee Strip Promo, and they married in August of 1958.   They moved to Perryton, Texas in September of 1962 to manage a new Gamble Store.  In January of 1968 they purchased a Gamble Store in Kiowa, Kansas.  In May 2001 they sold the store to Bret Ridgeway and retired.  Robert served on a number of boards and committees: President of Perryton, Texas Jaycees, a member of Kiowa Chamber of Commerce, Kiowa Utility Board, Kiowa Veterans Community Building Board, and the Kiowa Historical Society.  Bob and Grace enjoyed being a part of the Kiowa community and knowing its people.  The Hays family knew how lucky they were to have made a good living in small town America and have tried to give back more than they have received.

Those who have preceded Bob in death include his wife, Grace; his parents, Clyde and Pearle Hays; his in-laws, Jake and Fern Brainard; his brother, Clyde Jr.

Survivors include one sister, Ramona Vaughan of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two brothers, Rex Hays and wife, Mary of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Irvin Hays and wife, Patricia of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

It was Bob’s request that he be cremated and that no service be held so his requests are being honored.  Arrangements have been made by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:  Lanman Funeral Home Inc.