Obituary for David H Hays David Howard Hays, 80, formerly of Austin, passed away Wednesday evening, May 30, 2018 at the Minneapolis Veteran’s Hospital. He was born January 23, 1938 to Elton and Loretta (Graff) Hays. David attended Whittier grade school and Austin High School.
David later served in the U.S. Army as a Private First Class from January 1, 1960 to January 18, 1964, working as a cook while stationed in Germany. After being injured during military service, he was honorably discharged from the Army as a disabled veteran. After residing in California and Colorado for the next few years, David moved back to Austin in 1966, and lived with his parents until their passing.
He resided at Pickett Place and Sterling Court Apartments in Austin and assisted living facilities in the communities of Leroy, Red Wing and Farmington in his later years. David was a fan of pro sports (Minnesota Twins and Vikings), loved photography, collecting family photos, classic movies, pop and country music, American Indian artifacts, Christmas decorations, reading history and western books and donating to various charitable causes such as Operation Smile. David is best remembered for his friendly and positive personality.
He was always ready to engage in conversation with local business proprietors, patrons, friends, neighbors, and family. He was proud of being of the Hays family and although he never married, he had a great love for his siblings’ children and grandchildren. David is survived by his sister, Ruth A. (Bob) O’Grady, Orange, CA; nephews, Kelly (Jean) Hays, San Antonio, TX, Kevin (Robin) Hays, Minneapolis, MN, Jeffrey Hays, Austin, MN, Chris (Mary) Hays, Jacksonville, FL, David (Carolyn) O’Grady, Orange, CA; nieces, Holly Hays, Willowbrook, IL, Debra Soderberg, Laurie Hays and Susan Hays, all of Austin, MN, Ruth J. O’Grady, Orange, CA; grandnephews, Greg Soderberg and Lee Soderberg of Austin, MN, Cameron Hays, Madison, WI, Mason O’ Grady and Cole O’Grady, Orange, CA; grandnieces, Jillian Hays (Jourdan) Simmang, Austin, TX, Sasha Hays (Andy Gardner), Modesto, CA, Valerie Villegas, Willowbrook, IL, Cameryn O’Grady, Orange, CA; great grandnephew, Henry Gardner, Modesto, CA; great grandniece, Aurelia Simmang, Austin, TX.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Loretta Hays; older brothers, Richards Hays, Robert Hays, and Everett Hays; sister, Loretta Hays. Graveside services for David will be held 1:00 pm on Friday, August 3, 2018 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and V.F.W. Post #1216. Condolences may be left online at www.
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