James H. Hays' Obituary
James Hosmer “Jim” Hays, Jr., 75, of Mounds passed away unexpectedly Thursday, September 6, 2018. He was born September 5, 1943, in Henryetta, Oklahoma to James Hosmer Hays, Sr. and Christina Hunter (Patterson) Hays.Born prematurely, Jim began life as an undersized infant weighing in at just over 3lbs. The local hospital, being understaffed and therefore unable to provide “around the clock” care, advised his parents to take him home and hope for the best. The dutiful parents fed him with an eye dropper and kept him warm, swaddled in a turkey roaster on the open oven door. Little Jim was so small, James, Sr.’s wedding ring slid easily over his entire hand. Growing up in Henryetta, Jim made lifelong friends at, and graduated from, Henryetta High School in 1961. He played coronet in the high school band, which had the honor of representing Oklahoma and marching in the January 1961 inaugural parade for President John F. Kennedy in Washington, DC. In his youth, Jim danced on “American Bandstand” while pop singer and top-charter, Connie Francis, performed.Jim put himself through college while working at KHEN radio station in Henryetta. He graduated in 1965 with a BA in Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Jim was “the voice” of the Okmulgee High School Bulldog football games for nearly two decades. He taught for two years at Okmulgee High School during the tumultuous age of desegregation. From 1967 through 1994, Jim taught Business and English courses at OSU-Tech (now OSU-Technical Institute, Okmulgee), until his retirement. He came out of retirement twice to help launch new educational programs at the university. Jim also shared his gift of teaching in the education departments at the David L. Moss Tulsa County Jail and Davis Correctional Facility in Holdenville, OK. Following retirement, Jim continued working as an “Ambassador” at Floral Haven Funeral Home. As part of his passion for photography, Jim was also the owner of Hays Photography where he captured countless treasured memories on film for his customers.Jim chose what his loving family believes is a truly noble, yet often undervalued career – particularly in this day and age – that of a teacher. In addition to his chosen profession of teaching, Jim also coached Little League Baseball. We were often reminded of the true and lasting impact he made throughout his life as teacher and coach by the legions of young peoples’ lives he impacted and touched for nearly four decades. In fact, he stayed in touch with many of his former players and students, even up to his passing.Following college, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Bette Linda (Davis) on January 21, 1967. Several years later, they started a family. Jamie Linn (Hays) Lazalier, was born June 16, 1976, and Jeremy Landon Hays, was born May 30, 1981. For over a decade, Jim and Bette lived and raised their family in Henryetta, where he served as the Senior Warden at Grace Episcopal Church. Jim enjoyed coaching and, with Bette and Jamie in tow, traveling across the country in support of Jeremy’s competitive baseball career during his teen years. Following 35 years of marriage, Bette’s life was cut short by cancer in August 2003.Following the death of his first wife, Bette, Jim met and subsequently married Niki Diane (Hiser) Opitz on December 26, 2004. The couple enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, playing cards with friends, and their Saturday morning breakfast club. Jim took special pleasure in razzing his grandsons, Graysen and Payten, on the rare occasions when OSU beat OU.Jim loved his family, friends, photography, teaching, electronics, jokes, junk food, straw wrappers, Oklahoma State University, Neil Diamond, and sitting on the back porch. The order of those loves changed frequently, depending on the time of year.Jim was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his wife, Bette, and one nephew, Scott Walker, and a niece, Sheila Sams. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Niki Hays, of the home; one daughter, Jamie Linn (Hays) Lazalier, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and her husband, Jeff, and their children Seton, Graysen and Payten; one son, Jeremy Landon Hays, of New York, New York, Jeremy’s wife, Kathleen, and their daughter, Evelyn. Jim is also survived by his sister, Barbara Jean (Hays) Walker, of Midwest City, Oklahoma, and her sons, Phillip D. Walker, of Midwest City, and Robert Walker, and wife Kristi, of Calera, Oklahoma. Additionally, he is survived by his three step-children, Ryan, Wendi, Chris Opitz (and Chris’ wife, Shannon), and three step-grandchildren Sandi, Rostin, and Ashley, all of the Tulsa area. The family wishes to recognize Brad and Shauna Smith, and their two children, Brock and Morgan, beloved neighbors, for their unwavering love, care, and devotion over the years.The family will be present to receive friends during viewing hours from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 10, 2018 at Floral Haven Funeral Home, 6500 S. 129th E. Ave., in Broken Arrow. A funeral service, officiated by Rev. Shelby Scott of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Broken Arrow, will begin at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 11, 2018, also at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Per Jim’s request, guests are encouraged to join the family for a barbeque dinner in the Floral Haven Family Center, immediately following the service.In lieu of flowers, to honor Jim’s life, please consider a donation to the arts department at Holland Hall School by following this link http://www.hollandhall.org/giving/gift.Please check the box under “affiliation” to enter a comment that your gift is in memory of Jim Hays. All donations will be earmarked for students who show an interest in the Arts who would not otherwise be able to attend.Services are under the direction of the Floral Haven Funeral Home of Broken Arrow.Online condolences may be shared at www.FloralHaven.com.
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