Tony “Red” Pfeifer Jr., 83, Hays, died Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at his home following a lengthy illness of Parkinson’s disease.
He was born December 1, 1931 in Hays to Tony and Regina (Beilman) Pfeifer. He married Geraldine Brull September 10, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Church in Hays. He graduated from Hays High School in 1951 and from Fort Hays State University with a Masters and a Specialist degree.
He was drafted into the United States Army S.C.A.R.W.A.F. in October of 1952 from Tifton, Georgia, where he was playing professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals farm club. After completing basic training and constructional engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was shipped overseas and spent one year with Company B, 840th Engineer Battalion on an inspection team and traveled all over Korea and Japan. Corporal (E-4) Pfeifer received the United States Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, with Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. In August 1954, he received a medal and honorable discharge at Camp Carson, Colorado, and was transferred into the Army Reserve until 1959.
He taught and coached in the Victoria Schools 32 years and 1 year at Hays Middle School. In addition to his family and students, he loved baseball and music. He played baseball for the Hays Larks and the Victoria Eagles. He played the accordion and founded The Pfeifer Dance Band, entertaining at many weddings and parties. After retiring, he and his father-in-law provided musical entertainment for senior citizens.
He was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church and was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion and the NEA.
He is survived by his wife of the home and five sons: Anthony (Karla Reed), Tim (Karen) Terry(Cathy), Danny, Dave (Kristen); nine grandchildren: Nathan, Nicholas, Samie, Abby (Ryan), Ryan J., Anna, Isabelle, Tanner, Caleb; and one great-granddaughter, Ella Rose Pfeifer; two brothers: Norman “Raschi”, Hays, Ken (Sharon), Phoenix; two sisters: Harriet (Wes) Nicholson, Topeka and Betty Lou Rife, Denver and a special caregiver Sister Rita.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Agnes (Hilly) Schumacher and Mary (Ed) Geist.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 on Friday, October 23, 2015 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 E. 13th, Hays. Burial with military honors will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 am until service time Friday, all at the church. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday at the church.
Memorials are suggested to the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center Home Based Primary Care, Hospice of Hays Medical Center, or St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.