Donald W. Hayes, son of George Wallace & Alice Mary (Jahnke) Hayes, was born June 10, 1926 in Riley County, Kansas. He died August 30, 2012 at Logan Manor in Logan, Kansas at the age of 86.

He attended schools in Riley, Kansas graduating from Riley Rural High School with the class of 1944. His lifelong love of sports began here on the football and basketball teams.

Don joined the United States Navy in June, 1944 receiving his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. He then served overseas as a Radarman, Third Class aboard the USS LCI 702 in the South Pacific until April, 1946. On May 16, 1946 he was honorably discharged from military service.

Don married Pearl Phyllis Sprecker on September 5, 1948 in Leonardville, Kansas. This union was blessed with a daughter, Debbie.

During those early years, from 1948 – 1958, Don worked in Clay Center, KS for Kansas Lumber and then for Coffeyville Lumber in Coffeyville, KS. In 1958 Don & Pearl moved to Phillipsburg, KS where Don managed the Home Lumber Company. In 1970, after 20+ years in the lumber yard business, Don made a career change and began working for Bear Brand Roofing in Phillipsburg, which later became known as Tamko Asphalt Products, Inc. Over the next 22 years he worked his way up to a supervisory position on the loading dock before his retirement in 1992.

Don was well known as a community leader and volunteer. He joined the Phillipsburg VFW Post #1360 in December, 1959 and became a lifetime member in August, 1964, serving as its Trustee, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Sr. Commander, and Post Commander. He also served as the 9th District Commander. Don was a 32-yr. veteran of the Phillipsburg Fire Department and one of the first licensed E.M.T.'s in Phillips County. For many years he served as a Committeeman for the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association, of which he was a shareholder since 1970. Don was a member of the local Lions Club, served on the City Council, and was a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

After his retirement from Tamko, he drove an ambulance for Phillips County Emergency Services and helped with transports and funerals at Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel. He was a loyal Phillipsburg Panthers fan, running the clock at Panther stadium for all the home football games for many seasons.

Along with being a devoted husband & father, Don loved his grandkids and enjoyed attending their sporting events and school activities. In his spare time, he also liked pheasant hunting, fishing and camping at Kirwin Lake with friends.

For many, many years Don & Pearl made their annual pilgrimage to the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas, parking their travel trailer in the same spot and reserving it ahead for the next year. They looked forward to and enjoyed all the displays, booths, and activities at the fair, as well as meeting new people and seeing old friends. The couple would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on September 5th of this year. Don will be deeply missed by his family, many friends and this community.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Walter.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl, of the home in Logan; his daughter, Debbie Hays & husband, LeRoy, of Phillipsburg; two grandchildren, Kadie and Rylan Hays; a sister, Mary Alice Ewing from Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastors Chris Davis and Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, with military honors by the
U.S. Navy.

Mr. Hayes will lie in-state Sunday and Monday from noon – 9 p.m. at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends Monday evening from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the United Presbyterian Church, the Phillipsburg Fire Dept. or the Phillips County E.M.S.