Born on May 8th, 1934 at a home near the banks of Little Buckhorn Creek close to Hazard, Kentucky, James’ parents were the late James Chalmer Hays and the late Tottie Noble Hays.
James relished the wooded mountains that surrounded him. Those mountains, woods, creeks and the nature found within them left an indelible mark on James. When not in the hills, James yearned for them no matter where he was.
He and his siblings, Virginia, Dorothy, George, Hildred, Ruth and Adna enjoyed a closeness and a bond as children and as they matured that continued to his last day on earth. James had an Uncle, the late Reverend Ola Hays, with whom he was especially close. The humorous, often hysterically funny tales the two shared amongst themselves, family and all who were within earshot are legendary.
James Married the late Kathern Campbell in 1961 only after James learned to love the Lord and became a Christian. Kathern was the perfect foil and “straight man” for James. The two adored each other, and worked well together in service to the Lord through various missions and churches.
James retired from Appleton Paper Company, having served in the United States Army in the 1950’s in occupied Germany prior to his paper mill career.
James was an active sportsman, hunting and fishing in several states and Canada. A conservationist, Grib would harvest, process and eat everything his keen shooting and fishing skills would produce.
James is survived by his son, James Timothy “Tim” Hays and daughter-in-law Laura Ladd Hays, grandchildren Katelyn Teal Hays Sharpes and her husband Jonathan David Sharpes, and James Benjamin “Ben” Hays, and his great-grandchild Campbell Jonathan Sharpes, along with a host of nieces and nephews. James is predeceased by his wife, the late Kathern Campbell Hays, and his sister, the late Dorothy Hays Combs.
There will be a viewing and short service at Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, OH 45429 on Wednesday, November 25, viewing at 9:30 AM and a short service at 11 AM, graveside to follow soon after. Social distancing and safety protocols will be in effect.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kathern C. Hays and Stanley R. Kuck Scholarship Fund, 2008 Timber Lane, Dayton, OH 45414.
The immediate family wishes to thank James’ brother George Hays and his sister Ruth Smith for their vigilance and presence during James’ illness, and also thank you to Miss Betty Lucas for her enduring love and friendship.
While on an adventure with a United States Army Ranger in occupied West Germany, the ranger offered some guidance for celestial wayfinding:
“If we get separated, remember, Hays... The North Star leads home.”
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