John Hay

A memorial service for John R. Hay will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, October 14, 2023, at United Presbyterian Church in Cleburne with Reverend Jacob Snowden officiating.

John passed away at home on October 6, 2023, at the age of 91 surrounded by his family. John was born in Raub, North Dakota on September 28, 1932, to Oscar and Pearl Hay. John is survived by his wife Louise (Morford) Hay. They have been married 71 years. She resides in Cleburne, Texas. John grew up on a farm in Raub, North Dakota. He married Louise Morford in 1952 and later moved to Topeka, Kansas. He worked for Santa Fe Railroad and retired in 1989 after a 32-year career. After retirement John and Louise lived an adventurous life, living full-time in a motorhome traveling around the country. Family was everything to John. During the course of his life, he and Lousie attended all their children’s sporting events, followed by their grandchildren and continued with great grandchildren. He was an avid golfer and fisherman. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Cleburne, Texas and attended Bible study weekly. He was a man of deep faith, and he knew where he was going.

He is survived by his brother, Wesley Hay, Minot, North Dakota; son, Dan (Jan) Hay, Topeka, Kansas; daughter, Debbie (James) Kirby, Bessemer, Alabama; son, Terry (Karen) Hay, Willow Park, Texas and daughter, Kathy McFadden, Annapolis, Maryland. Other survivors include brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Boyd and Lorraine Parker, Stafford, Texas, 10 grandchildren, Trisha (John) Martinek, Eric (Amanda) Hay, Traci (Sean) Root, Ryan (Allison) Hay, Jarod (Erica) Hay, Brandie (Chris) Weidman, Tanner Etheridge, Bryce (Madelynn) Etheridge, Joshua (Ashley) Hay, Angela (Joshua) Burns and four step grandchildren, Julie (Dan) McElroy, Tony (Kelli) Howerton, Adam Kirby, Josh (Ashley) Kirby and 34 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Pearl (Ryan) Hay; brother, Oscar, Jr. (Carmen) Hay; sisters, Lois (Arnold) Hilleran, Roxy (Leon) Severance, sister-in-law, Dorothy Hay; great grandson, Braxon Weidman; son-in-law, William McFadden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Make A Wish Foundation.