John T Hays III

Born, June 29, 1940 in Sullivan, Indiana, and died July 10, 2023, in Gig Harbor, Washington. John was valedictorian of Sullivan High School (1958), earned his bachelor’s degree, Wabash College (1962), and an MBA, Harvard Business School (1964). He lived and worked in South America for over 20 years and later in Hawaii, Panama and Washington State. He was a talented youth and could be found playing Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C Sharp Minor on the piano, tuning an old motor into a lathe or learning a new language. He had perfect pitch and sang in high school with The Two J’s and The Stairsteppers, a barbershop quartet and church choirs throughout his life. A lover and speaker of many languages, he worked and traveled extensively throughout the world. He was always proud of being an Eagle Scout and a member of MENSA. To his end, he was gracious, generous and had a curiosity of all things.

John is survived by his wife, Susan, his son, John Hays (Soledad) of Weston, FL, daughter Caroline von Keisenberg (Holm) of Buenos Aires, Argentina, sister Barbara Hays Dove (Barry) Leland, MI, Emily Hays Moss (Henry), Lincoln, MA, brother-in-law William (Buck) Brown (Suzanne), Gig Harbor, WA, eight grandchildren, a niece, nephew and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents John T. Hays II and Mary (Polly) Spooner Hays. Services are being held in Gig Harbor, WA and Honolulu, HI.