James Arthur Hay, 84 of Herington, passed away on May 30, 2022, at his home in Herington, KS. He was born on November 10, 1937, to Albert Hay and Flora Downy in Soldier.
James grew up in the Onaga area attending local schools and graduating from Onaga High School with the class of 1955. As a child, James was led to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by one of his schoolteachers during his Junior High School years. Also, as a school kid he was very active in FFA. James enlisted into the United States Army on September 1, 1960, where he spent 7 ½ years as an auto repairman. On, October 21, 1962, James married the love of his life Rita Corcoran in Onaga, KS. This union was blessed with 3 children. James retired from the railroad after 40 plus years and many miles traveling the country. After retiring from the railroad, he went to work for Lyon Township as a clerk, treasure, and patrolman running a road grader.
In his free time James loved mending fences on his property, going to reunions of his military group, and fishing. What he loved the most was going to the mountains in Colorado with his family and taking yearly fishing trips to the mountains. James was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Herington. Family was very important to James.
James is survived by his wife of almost 60 years Rita of the home, son; Rex Hay and wife Karen, daughters; Renae Hay, and Rosalyn Lane and husband Jay, grandchildren; Megan Hay, Shelby Hay, Aaron Lane, Abigail Hay, Cassie Lane, Benjamin Hay, Montgomery Hay, and Caoimhe Hay, and great-grandchild; Zander. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Angella Hay, brother; Stanley Hay, sister; Helen Worthington, and grandson; Proinsias Hay. Yazel-Megli Funeral Home Herington Chapel is serving the family.
Family will receive guests on Sunday, June 6 from 5pm to 7pm at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS 67449. Funeral services will take place Monday June 6, at the First Baptist Church of Herington at 10:30am with graveside services to follow at Mitchell Valley Cemetery east of Herington. Family will then receive guests at the church for a luncheon immediately following the graveside committal.