John Ivan Hays, 82, of Inverness passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2014. John was born on January 29, 1931 in Bosworth, MO to the late Hollis and Frances (Douglass) Hays. He graduated with a B.S. degree from Central Missouri State University. In 1960, he married Ann Kathryn Solomon of Roxboro, NC to whom he was married for 46 years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and soul mate, Kathryn, in 2007. John remarried in 2010 to Joy Hall Walls and was preceded in death by his second loving wife in 2012.
John was a father of two sons and worked as a security analyst for the Department of the Navy in the Washington, D.C. area until he retired and moved to Inverness in 1998 with his wife, Kathryn. John was known to his family and friends for his humor, compassion and loyalty. He was a master gardener and grew the tastiest fruits and vegetables, and participated in the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Program. He was an active member of the Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast. John loved listening to jazz music, especially Dixieland, and was an accomplished trumpet player himself. John was very active in his family’s life, most notably his grandchildren and devoted much of his time to them. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a loyal friend to many.
John was also preceded in death by one son, John Ivan Hays, Jr. in 1983; and one brother, Douglas Richard Hays in 1998.
Survivors include one son, Daniel Richard Hays and wife Rebecca of Orlando, FL; one sister, JoAnne Lucas of St. Charles, MO; one step-daughter, Delight Harper of Lakeland, FL; and grandchildren, Addison, Aidan and Sabrina.
Family will be present to celebrate his life Monday, January 20 from 2–4PM at Chas E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness, FL. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
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