Michael "Mike" Connolly Hays

Michael Connolly Hays, 89, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2021 with his wife and 5 children circling his bed. He had been a resident of Sunrise of Leawood for six months. He had survived orphanhood, combat, two heart attacks and a massive stroke, only to be taken by pneumonia brought on by Alzheimer’s.

Our Dad, the son of Mary Myrtle (Pierceall) and Alexis Leon Hays of Monroe City, Missouri was born on January 2, 1932. His middle name honored an Irish priest, Msg. Edward Connolly, a friend of our grandfather. Dad’s parents plus his older sister and brother, Alexis and Patrick, moved to Boonville during the Depression. His parents were taken from him in a car accident when he was 15. Dad’s siblings have also passed.

Dad met our Mom, Dorothy Mabel (Bechtold), when they were classmates at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School. They graduated in 1950 and married in January of 1953, days before he deployed to Korea. Dad was so proud of his military service that later in life, he wrote a short memoir entitled My Story, about his months of combat and seven weeks of frontline duty.

After his military service, the childhood sweethearts reunited in 1954 and moved to Kansas City. Dad resumed working at Sears Roebuck and enrolled in night school classes at Rockhurst College. When he graduated in 1961 with a business degree, they already had three of us kids. Dad taught himself carpentry skills that he used to expand the house they bought in Raytown in 1963 when they were blessed with two more children. Later, he helped all of us kids add decks and siding and such to our homes. In the seventies Dad and Mom were into motorcycling and camping trips. In 1994, after 43 years at Sears, Dad retired to the golf courses where he played many, many rounds. He played on local leagues and in Arizona where they vacationed as snowbirds.

Our Dad was a great father and husband. He took care of us, taught us, and led by example. Mike Hays had a huge sense of humor of which we all received some portion. Dad leaves behind his beloved wife, Dorothy, of 68 years. Five children: Sharon (Ernesto Chapa), Brian (Leslie), Gary (Robyn), John, and Mark (Jan). Four grandchildren: Justin, Brandon (Becca), Ashley (Matt Schmidt), and Chad (Sarah). And six great-grandchildren: Caleb, Noah, Madisyn, Harrison, Londyn, and Holland.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 7049 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Raytown, Missouri 64133.