John graduated from Reagan High School and then in 1957 graduated from Texas Tech University, he then was commissioned into in the U.S. Air Force from March 13, 1959 and rose to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force Amarillo AFB Texas. He married his wife of 68 years on June 11, 1954, Matte Lee Hays. John was employed by Bechtel Company for many years. John Eddie Hays took great pleasure in serving the lord, and he will always be remembered for his love of family, friends, engineering, hunting and sports, he was a great father to all his children.
John Eddie is preceded in death by his parents; son, Eddie Carlisle Hays; grandchildren, Brett Alan Buster and Bethany Leeann Buster.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mattie Hays; his children: Brad (Marianne) Hays, Stan (Bridget) Hays, and Sandy (Wes) Parkey; grandchildren, Chris Hays, John Hays, Jennifer Pena, Curt Hays, Amy Smith, Christi Esquivel, Brittany Hart, Michael Hays, and Donnie Buster; 17 great-grandchildren: Hunter Hays, Damien Hays, Bethany Hays, Briella Hays, Max Hays, Carlynn Smith, Olivia Hart, Trevor Hart, Annie Hart, Jack Hays, Joey Hays, Luke Hays, Tahlin Buster, Soren Buster, Brayden Pena, Jeremiah Pena, and Stetson Pena.
Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Brighton Park Baptist Church, 3418 Airline Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78414
Services have been entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel-Everhart, 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78411.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CageMillsFuneralDirectors.com for the Hays family.