Donald Ross Hays

Donald Ross Hays, 71, of Austin passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 from a brief illness due to complications of Parkinson’s disease. Donnie, the youngest of twelve children, was born to James and Mattie Hays in Post, Texas on December 10, 1942.

As a young boy in Post, Donnie found work helping with milk delivery, shining shoes at the barber shop, and setting pins at the bowling alley. He played basketball and graduated from Post High School in 1961. He played basketball at West Texas State in Canyon and also attended Texas Tech in Lubbock.

He worked for Burlington Industries in Post and North Carolina. He scheduled production at Burlington facilities and was an industrial engineer at the Burlington Mill in Post until its closure. He worked for the Texas Employment Commission in Lubbock and the Texas Workforce Commission in Austin. He retired from state government in 2003.

Donnie enjoyed playing golf with friends and watching the Texas Rangers and Texas Tech sports. He enjoyed spending time with his family and the many large family reunions in Post.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Harmon Hays of Austin; their twins, Matthew Hays and Juliana Danz; and grandson, Hunter Danz of Austin; brothers, Herb Hays of Austin and Pete Hays of Post; sister, Rheba Propst of Post; sisters-in-law Fredda Hays of Austin and Kay Hays of Post; and by his beloved extended family.

The family will receive family and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 17, 2014 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.