Jim Hays' Obituary
James Lee ?Jim? Hays, son of Kenneth and Dessie Agnes Richardson Hays, was born August 3, 1937, near Phillipsburg, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, February 22, 2011, in St. John?s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of seventy-three years, six months, and nineteen days. On April 27, 1957, he was united in marriage to Freida M. Montgomery, and to this union one daughter and one son were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his step-father, Harold E. Gilpin. Jim is survived by his wife, Freida, of the home; a daughter, Debbie Lockwood, and her husband, Mike, of Springfield, Missouri; a son, Monty Hays, and his wife, Aimee, of Lebanon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brooks, Brady, Avery, and Libbee; a brother, Robert Gilpin, and his wife, Lynn Hooper, of Springfield, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was born and raised in the Phillipsburg community, where he played basketball for the Phillipsburg High School and was graduated in the Class of 1955. He often talked about riding the train from Phillipsburg to Lebanon to watch a movie which cost fifty cents. After he and Freida were married, they moved to Chicago, Illinois, while Jim worked for the Edsel Corporation for a short time. They then returned to Missouri, made their home in Lebanon, and lovingly raised their children. Jim worked as a bookkeeper for B.B.M. Lumber for a few years, before starting a career in banking. He was a vice-president and loan officer at United Savings and Loan in Lebanon for a number of years, and retired shortly after they became United Savings Bank. Jim had professed his faith in Christ and was a longtime active member of First Freewill Baptist Church. Throughout the years, he had served as a Trustee, a bus driver for twenty-five years, was a past Sunday School Superintendent, and supervised the construction of the Can Do Center. He had served on the board of directors of the Lebanon Country Club, as an officer of the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, and on the Lebanon Park Board. He was a longtime member of the Lebanon Optimist Club and had been named Optimist of the Year twice. He was also instrumental in the renovating and restoration of the Phillipsburg Cemetery. He loved sports of all kinds, was an avid golfer and bowler, and coached baseball for over twenty years. His family was very important to him and he greatly enjoyed his grandchildren. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and was a caring neighbor and friend. He will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a dedicated banker, a man of deep faith in God and country, and a wonderful friend to many.
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