Ralph K. Hayward

He was born on June 12, 1941 in Kansas City, MO to Floyd Damon and Grace Elizabeth (Crew) Hayward.

Ralph grew up and made his life in Kansas City, MO. He graduated in 1959 from Northeast High School in Kansas City MO, an area of town that remained near and dear to his heart.

After High School:

~ He graduated from Finley Engineering College in Kansas City, MO where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. This education would serve him well for his entire career.

~ He was hired as an Engineer by Remington Firearms, and then, through the course of his thirty one plus year career, worked for the DuPont Company, Winchester Ammunition and the Olin Corporation, on location at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in contract to the Department of Defense. His work included both Mechanical and Explosive Engineering in the production of Small Arms Ammunition and Weapons Systems for military and civilian use. He retired in 2000.

~ Ralph received his Biblical and Theological training at the Shepherd School of Ministry, Kansas City Baptist Temple in Kansas City, MO where he was ordained in 2004. His personal ministry included planting and growing a church, the Northeast Baptist Church, in Kansas City, MO, serving as Pastor at County Meadows Baptist Church, in Independence, MO and pastoring and leading Fellowship Baptist Church, in Independence, MO from 2004 to 2009 when he retired from full time ministry.

Ralph met, fell in love with and married Karen Lou Spence in June 1963 in Kansas City, MO.

They were happily married for 56 years and raised their three children.

Ralph accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in April 1974 and was a member of

Fellowship Baptist Church in Independence, MO. He enjoyed reading and studying his Bible daily,

witnessing and telling others about Jesus Christ, building hot rods and working on old cars and

attending every car show that happened, and working on family history and tracing his genealogy.

Ralph discovered and documented his lineage as a Tenth generation grandson of Governor William Bradford, a passenger on the Mayflower, who served as the Governor of Plymouth Colony for over 30 years. Ralph also served as the State Historian for the Missouri Society of Mayflower Descendants for a number of years, helping others find and document their ancestors that helped found this country.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Damon and Grace Elizabeth, his sister Beulah Pearl Reese and brothers, Floyd Hayward Jr. and Robert Nelson Hayward.

Ralph is survived by his wife Karen of their home; two sons, Brian Hayward (wife Dia), of Gladstone, MO, Damon Hayward, of Kansas City, MO, and his daughter Amy Hayward, of Grain Valley, MO.

His grandchildren include Sydney Liles, Ava Hayward, and Amelia Hayward, as well as his great-grandchildren Ezekiel, Vivian and Caleb Liles and several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Visitation will be held at Newcomer=s Floral Hills Funeral Home,7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas

City, MO on November 2, 2019 from 10 am until 12 Noon, where his family will greet relatives and

friends. The memorial service will begin at 12:00 noon and will be followed by a grave side service

at Floral Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to The Martin & Gracia

Burnham Foundation, 7171 W 95th St, Ste 501, Overland Park, KS 66212-2254. Or via

https://give-idonate.com/the-signatry-foundation/the-martin-and-gracia-burnham-foundation-fund-

11989.