Henison Everett "Buck" Hays, Jr.

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Henison Everett “Buck” Hays, Jr. passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberly Rd. with Rev. Will Esler officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

Henison was born July 17, 1930 in Letcher County, Kentucky to Henison Everett Hays, Sr. and Gertrude Caudill Hays. He grew up as the oldest of nine siblings. He helped on his parents’ farm, raising tobacco. His father was a coal miner and it was custom to bring their sons to the coal mine at the age of 16, to see if they wanted to follow in their father’s footsteps. Henison graduated from Stuart Robinson High School at the age of 16 and then joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17. He proudly served in the Air Force for 21 years.

After returning from his military duty, he took a job with Saint Paul’s Insurance (now Traveler’s Insurance). He was an insurance adjuster and worked there for 25 years, retiring in 1992. Henison and his wife Penny were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Amarillo, Texas. Henison was a mason of the Grand Lodge, San Jacinto No. 1330 of Amarillo, Texas.

Henison was known as “Buck” by family and friends, “Gramps” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and “Uncle Buck” to his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Doris Hays; his brother, James Dean Hays; two sons, Fred Henison Hays and Clark Harlan Gran; four sisters, Ruby Jewel Hays, Ada Lee Combs, Norma Jeanne Hays and Ruth Anne Jodry; and a daughter-in-law, Sherry Lee Hays.

Henison leaves behind his wife, Penny Louise Hays; three sons, James Edward Hays and wife Dee Ann of McKinney, TX, Jon Milford Gran and wife Betty of Wakefield, KS, and Michael Howard Gran and wife Robin of Pueblo West, CO; a daughter, Carol Jean Wilcox and husband Darin of Yucca Valley, CA; two brothers, Wilson Hays and wife Judy of Kansas City, MO, and Watson Hays and wife Darla of New Port Richey, FL; a sister, Jacqueline Cumpston and husband Ron of Fairborn, OH; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberly Rd. Amarillo, TX 79109.

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