Jerry Hayes

Jerry Allen Hayes, 95, of Pleasant Hill, was born November 22, 1929, in Pleasant Hill, the seventh child of Jesse C. and Lola A. (Small) Hayes. He departed this life Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville with Josie by his side.

Jerry was lifelong resident of Pleasant Hill and a 1947 Pleasant Hill High School graduate.

He was a United States Navy Korean War veteran serving our country from 1951 to 1955 and served aboard the U.S.S. Valley Forge.

While stationed in California he met and fell in love with Josie Wilma Brooks in El Cajon. They were united in marriage on July 4, 1953, in Las Vegas, Nevada; to this union three children, Sheryl Linda, William Allen, and Kenton LeRoy were born. Upon his discharge they returned to Pleasant Hill where they made their home.

Jerry was employed at General Motors where he was a member of the United Auto Workers Local #19. He retired in 1988. He also owned and operated a 40-acre farm southwest of Pleasant Hill raising cattle and hogs. Jerry also worked part time with his brother Jay pouring basements. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and an affiliate member of the Harrisonville United Methodist Church. He was a Life Member of the Pleasant Hill Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3118, Pleasant Hill.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, and was an avid coon hunter raising black/tan and redbone coon hounds. He also enjoyed working on his farm, tending to their flower gardens, working his mules Becky and Molly, and shucking corn the old-fashioned way. He was skilled with his hands and learned to macrame, later Josie taught him to crochet. He made many macrame lawn chairs and afgans for all the many nieces and nephews. Jerry and Josie also loved to square dance and were longtime members of the “Hoot’N’Hollers”.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Jesse Hayes, Jay Hayes, and A.J. Hayes; and three sisters, Audrey Hayes, Ruth Kingsolver, and Evalyn Hale.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Josie Hayes of their home; three children, Sheryl (and Lee) White of Zephyrhills, Florida, Allen (and Tammy) Hayes of Pleasant Hill, and Kent (and Sandy) Hayes of Warsaw; five grandchildren, Stewart (and Nicky) Hayes, Collyn (and Ashley) Hayes, Ethan Hayes, Katie (and Patrick) Dillon, and Melissa Eaton; seven great grandchildren; one brother, Jerrall Hayes of Pleasant Hill; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Visitation and funeral services were held Monday, July 21, 2025, at the funeral home. Reverend James Stanfield-Myers officiated. A Final Salute Ceremony was conducted by V.F.W. Post #3118 Past Commander Ron Beatty. Casket Bearers were Collyn Hayes, Ethan Hayes, Jim Hayes, Kevin Hayes, Stewart Hayes, and Chuck Kingsolver. Honorary casket bearers were Jerrall Hayes, Michael Hayes, Terry Hayes, and Marcus Redford.

Graveside military services and interment was held in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the United States Navy and the V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Harrisonville United Methodist Church or St. Croix Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550