Archie Hays Jr

Archie Hays Jr., 91, passed away on Feb. 1, 2016 at his home in Prescott Valley, Arizona. He was born on June 28, 1924 in Corridon County, Missouri to Archie Oscar Hays and Nellie Mable (Hill) Hays. Archie grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Hadley Technical School with a specialty in radio electronics and entered the U.S. Army Air Corp for a few years. Archie rejoined the USAF in 1948 and began training in nuclear weaponry and general ordnance. He had a 30 year career with the USAF, serving in Korea and Vietnam and multiple tours overseas; a recipient of the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation along with numerous other awards. He retired in 1974 from Hill AFB, Ogden, Utah, achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel. After retirement, Archie then relocated back to Missouri where he began a second career as a gentlemen rancher in Iberia, Missouri. Then in 1983, moved to the warmth of Arizona, living in Mesa, Lake Havasu City and ultimately Prescott Valley. Archie married Marjorie L. (Dietrich) Hays in 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri. High school sweethearts, they were happily married for 67 plus years living a life of adventures with their four children living abroad and in the states, throughout his career in the USAF. Archie was a member of the Masons, VFW and Master Blaster's EOD. He enjoyed a wide variety of interests utilizing his skills to fix and upgrade their homes, maintain their farm, and fix clocks as a hobby. He and Marjorie also enjoyed one vice, their regular trips to the casinos. More important to him was his relationship to his family, six siblings and extended Hays family, cherishing memories of growing up in a rough and tumble St. Louis neighborhood and blessings of loving parents and the love he passed on to all of us. Archie was preceded in death by his six siblings, parents and one grandchild. Archie is survived by his wife Marjorie Hays; his daughter Linda Smith, Michael Hays, Timothy "Auge" Hays and Jeffrey Hays and their spouses; his seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and way too many nieces, nephews and their children. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2016, at Sunrise Funeral Home, 8167 E Highway 69, Prescott Valley, Arizona. A military service will be at 3 p.m. the same day at the Prescott Veteran's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, our family requests memorial donations be made to Corridon-Reynolds Memorial Park Cemetery, Attn: James Burns, P.O. BOX 254, Bunker, MO 63629. Information provided by survivors.

Archie Hays Jr

June 28, 1924 - February 1, 2016