Reese Henry Hays Jr., born March 22, 1935, age 87, passed away Monday November, 28, 2022, from complications of Parkinson’s and Pneumonia. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Maxine; his mother, Eleanor and father, “Big” Reese Sr. He is loved and remembered by his sister, Carney Ingram; son, Reese III (Jennifer); daughter, Carney Marchand (Mike); and three grandchildren, Tate (Allie), Cannon (Melissa), and Jac (Kenna). Most recently Reese had welcomed four loving great-grandchildren into his life; Kirby and Korbin (Tate), Eleanor (Cannon), and Carly (Jac).
Reese was born in Alabama and grew up in Camden, AL. He fondly remembered growing up riding horses and his first car, a Model A Ford. He attended The University of Alabama, Roll Tide, where he earned a degree in History and, through ROTC, a commission into the United States Army. Reese served as a Military Police officer in Germany where he fell in love with his wife, Maxine, who was working for the Department of Defense teaching military dependent children.
After concluding his Army commitments both Reese and Maxine would dedicate their lives to raising their two children and being lifelong high school educators. Reese particularly remembered his time teaching at St. John's Military Academy, Salina Sacred Heart, and Hill City, KS High School. He passionately passed on his love of history and counseled his many students towards more fulfilling lives.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. with family present 5-7 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022, at Ryan Mortuary. A private burial will take place at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, Manhattan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salina Presbyterian Manor, for the Employee Christmas Fund.