We are sad to announce that John Charles “Charley” Hay, 78, of the Kansas City area passed away at Advent Health on February 8, 2023. He will be buried with honors in a private ceremony at the Leavenworth National Cemetery. Please join us for A Celebration of Life with dinner which will be held Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Wyandotte Co. Lake Park, James P. Davis Hall at 4pm. Fishing will be available to those interested. (KS state and Wyandotte county permits are required for ages 16-65). In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Veterans Community Project. https://www.veteranscommunityproject.org
Charley was born on June 24, 1944, in Pittsburg KS. He was an avid outdoorsman who greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with family and friends. He grew up in Arma, Kansas and then moved with his parents, Harold Peter Hay (a coal miner) and Ida Iori Hay (an elementary school teacher) to the Kansas City area and graduated from Turner High School in 1962. He then graduated from Emporia State
University with a Masters in Elementary Education.
He married his high school Sweetheart Mary Elaine “Butch” Wicinski in 1966. They were married for 54 years until her death in 2021. Together they loved hosting family and friends in their home and set the standard for hospitality and warm loving companionship for all of us. Charley and Mary were considered honorary grandparents to many blessed children.
Charley was a Proud Vietnam Veteran who served in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the 1st Cavalry. He earned The National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, The Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 60, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Air Medal and The Army Commendation Medal.
Gardening was a hallmark of Charley’s Scottish-Italian heritage and he was especially known for his robust tomatoes, which he and Mary canned and distributed to the fortunate ones. Charley planted his Southeast Kansas roots deep into the soil of all of our lives.
After serving his country in The U. S. Army, Charley was a Kansas City area Middle School Science and Math teacher. He won a Community Teacher award and really enjoyed his students and fellow teachers and staff members with whom he had a great rapport. Throughout his life, Charley was a fitness enthusiast who was diligent in exercise and various nutrition trends. He struggled valiantly with a low functioning heart in the end and was forever grateful to the medical staff at Advent Heart Care, the VA, the KC Palliative team and the Loving family members and friends who assisted him. He received the best of care and was active and alert throughout. His positivity and concern for others resulted in great joy in spending time with him! - From the early lifelong hunting and fishing to later watching old westerns, cooking shows, hunting and fishing shows and playing cards.
Charley’s family was Precious and Beloved to him. Charley was preceded in death by his wife Mary Elaine (Wicinski) Hay, his parents Harold and Ida (Iori) Hay, brother and sister-in-law Bill and Phyllis (Pentola) Hay, and their son Jeff Hay, Charley’s sister Bette Jean (Hay) Fowler, brother-in-law Jim Wicinski and sister-in-law Lisa (Wicinski) Williams. He is survived by brothers-in-law: David Fowler and John Wicinski and sisters-in-law: Bonnie Osborn, Cynthia Austin, Kris Mulholland, Kate Wicinski, and by many treasured in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as Dear lifelong friends who will always be considered family.
We miss you Charley – And Love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.