James Hays

PATTON, Mo. -- James Allen Hays, 52, of Patton joined his children, Troy and Brandy, in passing Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, from the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Born on Dec. 16, 1963, in Lutesville, Missouri, he was the son of Orvel James and Janice Ann Vaughn Hays. He married Ruth Alice Poddig on Feb. 14, 1981, in Arnold, Missouri. She survives.

He worked for Rollet Brothers Trucking as a truck driver until health issues forced his retirement. He was a member of the Eagles in Perryville, Missouri.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Dustin (Michelle) Hays of Farmington, Missouri; a son-in-law, Randy Ratcliff of Patton; his mother, Janice Hays of Patton; two brothers, Lanny Hays of Mayfield, Kentucky, and Roger Hays of Advance, Missouri; a sister, Sherri Johnson of Patton; and five grandchildren, Tristan and Remington Ratcliff and Thomas, Alice and Liam Hays.

His father, son, daughter and a grandchild preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, Missouri.

The funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Patton Cemetery at Patton.