of Little Rock, AR
December 15, 1937 - August 28, 2024
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no one." -- William Shakespeare
Don is survived by his sister, Eddie Sue Ryan (Richard); children, Clay Hays (Laura), Carla Hays; bonus daughter, Kaye Gilder and grandsons, Nathan Hays (Sara) and Dak Hackler (Tera). He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Juanita (Nita/Nete) Hays (nee Wilson).
Don was born to Edmund Davis Hays and Vivian Jesse Hays (nee Tucker) in Leadville, Colorado ten days before Christmas, surrounded by feet of snow. He was one of only two babies who survived their first winter in the town with the 2nd highest elevation in Colorado. His Kansas father had found work there in the mines during the Depression years, but they very soon made their way out of the mountains to Ozark, Arkansas and eventually settled in Fort Smith.
He grew up to be a good, kind person with the intellectual mind of an engineer and inventor, but was also the king of Dad jokes. In the late 1950's he started his career as a self-taught industrial engineer and worked from there to engineering manager and assistant plant manager in several large manufacturing companies through some tumultuous economic years at: AMF - Little Rock, AR, Schwinn - Greenville, MS, Beaird-Poulan - Nashville, AR, Homelite - Gastonia, NC. Along the way he also designed and built additions and renovations to his homes, aviaries for his Birmingham Roller pigeons and a couple of enormous shops to house his many projects.
After retirement in 2000, he and Nita spent ten plus years as full time RV'ers, where he invented a system to locate the satellite to feed to a small, mobile dish for access to their cable tv subscription while on the road. He soon began helping fellow RV'ers set up their cable. His skill was passed around the RV community and soon at every campsite across the US and Mexico there were people knocking at the door asking if he was the 'satellite man'? This led to a side hustle SkyHawk although he only charged for parts and reluctantly took donations for his time and effort. However, payment of chocolate chip cookies and brownies was always welcomed. He also volunteered at campsites as Host and helped with whatever the park needed from cleaning to digging to building.
His children remember many instances of him being kind and respectful to all. To him you were first a person, regardless of ethnicity, skin color or station in life. They are grateful for his teaching them how to be in the world. Even his fathering was respectful, rarely physically punishing his kids, but (worse!) eyeing them seriously with a touch of sadness and saying that he was disappointed in the choice they had made. They would rather have been spanked.
In his last several years, Alzheimer's took his memories but he remained his core self: cheerful, kind and helpful. His children watched over him and loved him during that time just as he had watched over and loved them. Thank you to the kind souls at Hickory Heights who made that so much easier for us all.
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10 Condolence(s)
Butch Finnell
Monday, September 2, 2024
Carla and Clay
So sorry to hear about your Dad. I always loved the times we were together and hear him Jack telling story.
Prayers and thoughts for both of you.
Love you.
Jill Schoemaker Stacy
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Carla and Clay, I am so sorry to learn of your dad’s passing. He and your mom were special people and our family loved yours! My prayers are for comfort, strength and the peace that only God can give. Much love!
Jill
Dee Roggin & Don
Saturday, August 31, 2024
We lknew Nita & Don for many yrs &
Nita & I worked together in Gillespie & Porter’s OB Gyn office for 11 yrs.
Nita & Don had a remarkable,loving
Marriage, a model to all! Carla is our friend now!
Randy newcomb
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Knew Don at the rv park on the river he was a super kind helpful man he was so helpful to many people I will miss my friend
Terri. England
Friday, August 30, 2024
I did not know Mr. Hays but I know Carla. And she is like him in on this. I know that he was a wonderful man through her. Sending my love and prayers to Carla and her family as they grieve. God bless you!
Nancy Collyer
Friday, August 30, 2024
Many prayers for you Carla and Clay and families. Your Dad was a kind, sweet man and was a great addition to our Mt. Carmel family. Your Mom as well. I was blessed to know them both! God bless you all as you say goodbye for now and know you will be reunited again someday. Hugs and prayers , Nancy
Andrea and Darrin Taylor (Wilson)
Friday, August 30, 2024
Carla, Clay and Family, sending my love and prayers to all of you! There was no question that my Uncle Don and my Aunt Nete were very special to me! I remember Latrecia and I spending time with them when we were out of school. I also remember all the times I had to work in Little Rock for a few days I always ended up staying with them so we could visit instead of going to a lonely hotel. There were times they dropped me off at the airport. They were always so much fun. I believe my cousin Butch put it best they were a “hoot”. I have so many fond memories of them in my lifetime and for that I am thankful. They were both people I looked up to And admired. Uncle Don was one of the most intelligent men I have ever known. I will ALWAYS be proud to call him my Uncle and consider myself blessed to have had him in my life. He is the one who introduced me to the Gather Homecoming Videos. They also made me avid Hog fans. Life will never be the same with out them but their memories and kindness to all the lives they touched will live on. I love you Uncle Don may you Rest In Peace
Bettie Leonard
Friday, August 30, 2024
My thoughts, prayers and love for all the family! May peace be with you.
Bettie Leonard
Sheila (Wilson) Buckner
Friday, August 30, 2024
My dear, dear Brother in law, I loved him as a brother.I remember right after right after they were married, and I had gone to stay a while with them.(My sister was 10 years older than me) Don told me (I can see that I married the wrong sister) of course I knew it wasn’t true, But he made a life time friend! And he stayed a wonderful friend and Brother until his last breath. And also to his Mother in law. She loved that man.Nita and I used to say, our mama loved ouHusband’s more than she loved us. Don will truly be missed. I love and miss you Carla, Clay and Eddie sue!!
Kristie Dowdy
Friday, August 30, 2024
I have such great memories of Don and his dad jokes, his laugh and his pipe!! Always looked forward to being able to spend long weekends with the family!! Sending lots of prayers, love and hugs to you Carla & Clay!! Love you both!