Les Hayes

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 919 NE 96th St, Kansas City, MO 64155. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the church. The service will also be available via live stream at www.holyfamily.com/funerals

Les was born in Henderson, Kentucky on August 15, 1943, to Kenneth Hayes and Elizabeth (Humphrey) Hayes, and the family eventually relocated to Kansas City’s Northland. After graduating high school from North Kansas City, Les met and later married the love of his life, Colette McCabe, on July 14, 1964. Les and Colette settled in Gladstone, Missouri for many years where they raised their 3 children, Jeff (Chris), Kelley McCollum (Jamie), and Steve (Krista). The family spent many summer vacations at Table Rock Lake where Les enjoyed boating and fishing.

Les began a career at TWA in 1966 as a ramp service agent at Kansas City’s Municipal Airport and soon became an airline mechanic for TWA and later American Airlines at the original Kansas City International Airport. Les spent 41 years with TWA/American, where he was very involved in the Employees’ Club, holding several offices, and was a devoted member of the International Association of Machinists Local 1650.

In retirement, Les and Colette spent several years as winter Texans at Tropic Star in South Texas. Les enjoyed spending time with many friends, and his favorite pastime was pitching horseshoes. They later moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas, where they made many more close friends before eventually moving back home to Kansas City. Les always enjoyed helping others and spending time with family and friends, but his favorite hobby by far was being Granddad to his 6 grandchildren, Kaleigh Beam (Brandon), Paige Engelke (Spencer), Maddison Hayes, Keller Hayes, Emi Boles (Ryan), and Casen Hayes, as well as great-grandchildren Haddie, Brooklyn, and Ashlyn. He was incredibly proud of them and loved them all dearly.

Les was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Elizabeth, as well as his brother Jerry Hayes.

He is survived by Colette, his loving wife of over 58 years; his 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren; sister Lou Hendricks; brother Tennis Hayes; sister in law Della Hayes, and a large extended family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Missouri Palliative & Hospice Care and Anthology of Burlington Creek for their loving and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Missouri Palliative and Hospice Care at https://www.missourihc.com/contact/donate/ in Les’ honor, or to the University of Kansas Cancer Center at https://www.kucancercenter.org/give.