The funeral service for Jay Hays is 10:00AM Monday, May 2, 2022, in the Cedar Ridge Wesleyan Church, under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home. Pastor Ron Olson officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Jay was born July 19, 1934, in Ringwood, Oklahoma, to Guy and Ora (Hipsher) Hays.  He graduated from Ringwood High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts and Agriculture from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.  He also attended Wichita State University.  He was employed at Boeing Aircraft as a draftsman for several years.  He married Jane Graber in 1957, in Pretty Prairie, Kansas.

Jay joined the Armed Services in 1958, serving at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, and Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.  He worked at Vance Air Force Base for many years as Hobby Shop Supervisor and was employed for several years at Owens Automotive Supply.  In 1976, he took over his father's farm in Ringwood, Oklahoma.  Throughout the years he was very active in church, serving in many capacities, including Sunday school teacher, member of the church board, and many other activities.  Jane passed away in 2002. He married LaDonna Jones Miller in 2005.

Jay is survived by his wife, LaDonna, sister, Carolyn Christal of Enid; son, Ritchie, and wife Kim of Enid, and grandchildren, Zachary, Jacob, and Erin; son Randy, and wife Naomi of Katy, Texas, and grandchildren, Andrew, Brendan, Jamison, and Melissa; son, Shawn Miller, and wife Stephanie of Ringwood, and grandson, Logan; daughter, Shayla Watkins, and husband Jeff, and grandchildren Ally, Alex, Tori, and Lane of Ringwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jane; brother, Neil; sister-in-law, Eva Jean; brother-in-law, Jimmie Christal; and son, Rodney.

The family would like to thank Complete OK Hospice for their loving care.