Elton Earl Beougher, 78, Hays, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 at HaysMed.

He was born March 22, 1940 in Gove, Kansas, the son of Merlyn E. and Vivian V. (Smith) Beougher. He married Cecile Nola LaSalle on Aug. 21, 1960. She preceded him in death. He later married Wendy Morton on Sept. 30, 1994.

Elton graduated from Gove Consolidated Grade School in 1953, Gove Rural High School in 1957, Fort Hays State University in 1961 (BS) and 1964 (MS) and the University of Michigan in 1968 (PhD). He also attended Kansas State University and Winona State University in Michigan.

Elton taught junior and senior high school in Winona, Kansas, 1961-1964, senior high in Garden City, Kansas, 1964-1965, and college mathematics at Fort Hays State University, 1968-2000. He was a proud Tiger and proud of his association with FHSU. Elton served professionally as president and treasurer of the Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics and chairman of the Kansas Section and Kansas Governor of the Mathematical Association of Mathematics.

Elton became a member of the Methodist Church in 1952 and accepted Christ as his personal savior in 1972. He served as a teacher and youth leader on many committees, drove the bus for the Kid’s Club, played in the Handbell Choir and sang in the Chancel Choir. He was an early member of the group Crossroads and had a passion for its music ministry.

Elton enjoyed history and nothing more than a day on the prairie with his metal detector. He was a past president of the Smoky Hill Trail Association and served on the board of historic Fort Hays for many years. Hunting, fishing, and traveling were his interests. He worked crosswords daily but gave up Sudoku after he constructed an algorithm to solve the puzzles. He read physics books for fun.

Elton’s family was dear to his heart. He is survived by his wife Wendy, daughter Tracea Collins and husband Alan and grandchildren Alexis and Robyn, son Timothy and wife Ronda and grandchildren Shelbie (Jason), Courtney (Adrian), Laci, Josie, Luke, and Levi; also Chandler Morton and grandchildren Aidan and Mason and Jeremy Morton and wife Carmon and grandchildren Coby, Cole, and Will, brother Marvin and wife Marilea, two great-grandchildren Brooks and Graves, and many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Loren and sister-in-law JoAnn, a sister Ima Lee Heier, and his wife Cecile.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh St., Hays, with Rev. Michael Rose officiating.  Burial will be at 2 p.m. in the Gove Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays and from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Monday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Hays First United Methodist Church or the Fort Hays State University Math Department for scholarships, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences and memories of Elton may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com.