Funeral services for Robert Joseph Hays, 83, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 26, 2022 in the Epworth United Methodist Church with Reverend Kyle Clark officiating.
Robert Joseph Hays was born March 25, 1939 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, the son of Wilbur Hays and Goldie Inez Ruth (Lawler) Hays. He passed from this life on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at home in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Bob grew up in Weatherford, where he graduated from Weatherford High School. He started writing sports stories in high school for his school’s newspaper. He then attended Southwestern State University in Weatherford, where he continued his writing. Later he transferred to the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a degree in journalism. During his undergraduate years, he worked as a sports writer for the Daily Oklahoman. He then attended the University of Oklahoma Law School, earning his Juris Doctorate.
He met his future wife, Shirley Ann Grove, while attending law school and three weeks later he proposed to her in the Alpha Phi parking lot. They were married August 1, 1965 in Liberal, Kansas. They moved to Chickasha, where he started his law practice with C.D. Van Dyke, Jr. They had two daughters, Stacey and Stephanie.
Robert was very active in the Chickasha community and served in the following activities: as a little league baseball coach, Chickasha Booster Club, did the color commentary on KWCO for the Chickasha Football team, past President and member of the Board of Regents at USAO, member of the American Bar Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Grady County Bar Association, served as a municipal court judge, member of ASCOG, on the Board of Directors for Chickasha Bank and Liberty National Bank, practiced law with partners Wayne Dabney, Ryland Rivas, Mark Kingsolver, Gary Pullin, Gretchen and Craig Roddy and his last practicing partners were the late Phil Gordon and the honorable District Judge Kory Kirkland.
He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of many committees and was also an adult and youth Sunday school teacher. Through the years, he enjoyed his conversations in theology with John Mosley and Kory Kirkland.
Bob was preceded in death by both parents.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Hays of the home; daughter Stacey Scott of Frisco, Texas; daughter and son-in-law Stephanie and Charles McCall of Atoka; grandchildren Abigale Hirsekorn and fiancé Cody Moore of Edmond, Margaret Hirsekorn of Las Colinas, Texas, Chase McCall and Carson Hays McCall of Atoka; cousins Drew Hays and Eddie Hays of Weatherford and Brooks Puckett of Dallas; and other extended family and friends.
Public viewing will be at the funeral home Sunday, September 25 th from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm.
Memorial contributions to honor the life of Robert Hays may be made to the USAO Baseball and Softball programs through the USAO Foundation, mail to 1727 W. Alabama, Chickasha, OK 73018.
Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.