Hays, Kansas — Robert F. Hayes, age 73, died Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

He was born August 3, 1940, in Esbon, Kansas, to Fred W. Hayes and Mabel Estelle (Healy) Hayes-Rorabaugh. He married Carol (Loring) on December 16, 1961, in Hingham, Massachusetts.

He was a cattle hauler and freight hauler for over 25 years. He was a truck driver for KW Trucking and High Plains Trucking until 1998, then owned and operated the Russell county Fed-Ex freight routes until he retired in 2011. He was a 1959 graduate from Esbon High School and a U. S. Army Veteran. He was a cat breeder for many years and enjoyed showing his award winning maine coon cats in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado. He was an avid NASCAR and racing fan.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Hayes, of the home; two sons, David Wallace Hayes and wife, Laura, Hays, KS; Matthew Allen Hayes and companion Crystal Peter, of the home; one brother, Donald Hayes, Dodge City, KS; five grandchildren, Jonathan David Hayes, Austin Wade Hayes, Shelly Felt , Cheyenne C. Liester and Destiny R. Liester; and one great granddaughter, Alexis Felt.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services are 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 and a U. S. Flag will be presented to the family by the Hays V.F.W. Post # 9076. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. Saturday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays. Memorial to Cat Fanciers’ Association INC., 260 E. Main Street, Alliance, OH 44601 in care of the mortuary. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected]