Gregory Alan Hays, 67, son of the late Letha Montgomery Hays and Joel S. Hays, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2017, after a struggle with cancer (although family believes the Cardinals recent performance against the Reds might have been a contributing factor).
Greg was born Nov. 14, 1949, and was a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff. He is survived by his daughter, Sarah Hays, his sister, Luana Beth Hays, two step-children whom he helped raise, Jessica Homann and Scott Innes, as well as cousins, Janice Hays Khan and Linda Montgomery-McClelland, and several grandchildren - Josh Innes, Danielle Innes, Presley Innes, Emily Parent, Niki Lowry, Gage Austill, and Dylan Wells.
His step-daughter, Lisa Innes, preceded him in death as did his ex-wife and best friend, Linda Wendell.
He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1967, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and particularly gifted in mathematics. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and Missouri State University.
Anyone who knew Greg appreciated his deep, encyclopedic knowledge; he could easily be prompted into a (lengthy) discussion across vast topics - from science and history to sports and music.
Greg worked at Hays Music Store, the family business, his entire life. Hays Music was his father's dream that began in 1947 as a record shop on a balcony in the old State Bank building on Main Street. With his mother, Letha, Greg carried on this legacy and built the business to what it is today, a highly regarded Poplar Bluff institution. It's hard to imagine downtown Vine Street without Hays Music and it's impossible to imagine Hays Music without Greg.
In addition to being a business owner, Greg was a booster of revitalizing downtown Poplar Bluff and was active in the Historical Preservation Commission for many years.
A lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, Greg probably could have attended more often but, in his final days, there was no question where his soul was headed. The man had a giving spirit and a heart of gold.
As an avid Cardinals fan, he rarely missed a televised game and went to see the team play in person whenever he could. He knew the stats for years and loved to talk baseball. He was privileged to attend a number of World Series games and was hoping for another pennant in 2017. He will surely be rooting the Cardinals on from heaven and given their recent sweep by those darn Reds, they kinda owe him.
Greg will be fondly remembered and desperately missed. He was a loving brother, dedicated father, and a very active, proud Friend of Bill's. During this time of grief, it would be easy to believe the world is a lesser place without his genuine, selfless nature, but his family and friends have much to celebrate in that he lived. Those who knew him are better for it.
A visitation for Greg is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, from noon to 2 p.m. at Cotrell Funeral Home; a memorial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sarah Hays so that Greg's memory can live on by helping to provide instruments to music students.
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