Paul Andrews Hays (2008)

HAYS, SPERRY, SUMMERS, ADAMS

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 4/20/2008 at 16:56:01

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
April 9, 2008

PAUL ANDREW HAYS, URBANDALE

Paul Andrew Hays, son of Joe and Ann Hays, was born Oct. 17, 1962. He was later joined by one brother and two sisters. He lived with his family in the Truro area until he was age 15 and one-half and attended special education classes in Winterset from the age of six until 15. He also attended Ruby Van Meter School in Des Moines for a short time. In 1978, Paul moved to Woodward State Hospital Schools to live and where he attended school until age 18. He was in job training programs there and loved picking up laundry and recycling. Paul liked his peers, but especially bonded with staff. In 2004, he moved to his home in Urbandale. He worked at Allied for three years and then at Mosaic.

Paul was always looking ahead — next week, next home visit, next holiday and next birthday. He maintained a sincere dedication to the “rural life.” He loved collecting ball caps and anything John Deere. He had a wide array of John Deere collectibles. He also loved to mow yards and help out with chores — whether at his home in Urbandale or on the family farm by Truro. Paul was a stranger to no one, always friendly. He loved people and loved his work. Paul also was involved with the Special Olympics for 30 years.

Survivors include parents Joe and Ann of Truro; his brother, Mark (Stacey) of Chula Vista, Calif.; two sisters, Theresa (Brian) Sperry of Livermore, Calif., and Ronda (Jeff) Summers of Middletown, Va.; six nephews — Chad, Jason and Devan Hays and Alex, Joseph and Johnathon Summers. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Francis and Jennie Hays and Lowell and Ruby Adams.

Paul, at the age of 45, died of a heart attack on April 5, 2008, at his home in Urbandale. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 10, at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Marys, Iowa. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hopeville Cemetery, Hopeville, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5–8 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, with a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. at Iles Funeral Homes – Dunn’s Chapel, in Des Moines. Memorials may be made to the Special Olympics or AMVETS.