John Earl Kays, 81, of Richland, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2020, in Lake Ozark.
He was born June 29, 1939, in Hazelgreen, Mo. to Johnny and Opal Harris Kays.
On June 6, 1959 he married Barbara Brown.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Barbara Kays.
John Earl graduated from Richland High School and after graduation, joined the National Guard. He remained in the Richland community all of his life, where he was engaged in farming on the Kays Family Farm. He also owned and operated Kays Kennels for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. However, he most enjoyed the time spent with his family and visiting, joke telling and drinking coffee with friends.
He was an active and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Richland for many years.
Survivors include his son, Kent Kays and his fiancée Beverly Payne of Richland; his daughter, Sherri Stephens and her husband Joe of Stoutland; five grandchildren, Jillian Moore and her husband Justin, Jake Stephens and his wife Sylvia, Luke Kays, James Ely and Jody Candee and her husband Bobby; seven great-grandchildren, Gretchen, Gwen and Georgia Candee, Harper Sue and Hudson Moore, Ava and Emma Stephens; other relatives and a host of many friends.
A graveside service and burial for John Earl Kays will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at Hazelgreen Cemetery with Bob Lilly officiating, under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. There is no scheduled visitation. Friends and family may visit at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel prior to the graveside service on Saturday, Jan. 9. To sign the guestbook online, visit shadelscolonialchapel.com. Under the guidelines of the CDC and the state of Missouri, the staff of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel ask that you observe social distancing and proper hygiene. Masks are suggested. Those guidelines will be monitored during this time to accommodate the family and their wishes.
