Vernon Hayes

Vernon J. Hayes, Jr., 86, lifelong Elkhart, Kansas area farmer and rancher, passed away Tuesday morning, August 6, 2019 at Morton County Hospital , Elkhart, Kansas.

Vernon Jackson Hayes, Jr., was born on January 23, 1933 in Baca County, Colorado, to Chloe (Bray) and Vernon J. Hayes, Sr.  “Junior” graduated from Elkhart High School.  Junior and Sarah Martinez began their courtship and the couple rode along with friends to Clayton, New Mexico, to serve as a witness for the friends’ wedding.  While there, Junior asked the preacher if they could get married too, “two for the price of one”.  So on November 7, 1955, Sarah and V.J. Hayes, Jr. were united in marriage.  They worked hard and raised their family of seven children.  Junior farmed and ranched his entire life and supplemented the farm by working in the oilfield.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sarah Hayes; their seven children, Cindy McLain of Guymon, Bill Hayes (Kim) of Elkhart, Dinah Myers (Wayne) of Goodwell, OK, Charles Hayes (Rhonda) of Goodwell, Georgia Hayes of Elkhart, Jeanie Snider (Jimmy) of Spearman, TX, and Dean Hayes (Amy) of Elkhart.  He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, William McLain, Michael McLain, Dani Rhoades, Tiffany Hayes, Billy Hayes, Brittany Hayes, Wendy Archer, Doak Myers, Austin Hayes, Christopher Hayes, Crystal Waugh, William Hayes, Jordan Snider, Sarah Snider, Dietz Hayes and Tanner Hayes, and eighteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, his brother, C.A. Hayes, and his sister, Stella Hayes.

Memorial services will be conducted on Sunday afternoon, August 11th, 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church, 500 N Baca Ave, Elkhart, with Rev. Ed Richards, officiating.  Cremation and services are entrusted to Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon, Oklahoma.

Memorials may be given to a local charity.  Friends may sign the online guestbook and send condolences at www.hensonnovak.com.

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