Merl Leon Hays

Merl Leon Hays died September 13, 2021 at the age of 79 years 8 months 29 days. Funeral Services were held Friday, September 17, 2021 at the Wadley’s Funeral Chapel. Interment followed at Lexington Cemetery, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made and the service was live streamed at www.wadleysfuneralservice.com.

Merl was born December 15, 1941 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Hershel Merl and Olivi (McNutt) Hays. He spent his early school years in Oklahoma City. The family moved to Lexington,  where Merl graduated in 1960.

On July 1, 1960, Merl and Delores June Holder were united in marriage in Lexington, Oklahoma.

Merl had a strong work ethic starting at an early age. He started a newspaper route as soon as he was old enough to ride a bike, and held various jobs through his youth, such as delivering groceries, working as a movie attendant, and cutting broom corn as a teenager.

Later on, employers included Schwartz Meat Company, and Tinker Air Force Base, but his passion and pride career was in carpentry, where he grew to Master Carpenter over the course of 40 plus years. If you were to place a yellow ribbon on every home or project he touched in the Norman, Okla., or Jackson Hole, Wyo., areas, it would be quite the exhibit of talent.

Merl loved hiking, fishing and just spending time in the great outdoors, instilling that love for mother nature in his children as well. He had the gift of singing and was invited to sing at many weddings. Merl was an avid coin collector, enjoyed playing bingo, scratch tabs, canasta and dominoes. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Merl will be remembered fondly by his family and friends for his extreme generosity, sense of humor, funny jokes, and ornery nature.

Merl was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Olivi Hays; his brother, Lloyd Edgar Hays; and his sister, Nadine Nere.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, June Hays of the home; his daughters, Pamela June  Palmer and husband, Marty, of Henryetta, Angela Jean Allison of  Mannsville, Tammy Lynn Chromy and husband, Mike, of Owasso and Jennifer Lea Csaba and husband, Mark, of Tulsa;  his 10 grandchildren, Laramie, Hannah and husband, Taylor, Matthew, Eli, Courtney and husband, Bradford, Casey and husband, Robert, Morgan and husband, Corbin, Noah, Jake and Abbey; his seven great-grandchildren, Brett, Elliot, Cooper, Caleb, Rylee, Luke Merl and Isabella; his siblings, Vernita Farrow of Tulsa, Ray Hays of Alaska, Clois Gordon of Norman, Loretta Kirkpatrick and husband, Cliff, of Jackson Hole, Wyo., and LaDonna Dobbs of Blanchard; and numerous other relatives and friends.