John Preston Hays was carried home while he peacefully slept on January 21, 2024. He was 89 years young.

John was born and raised in Weslaco, Texas, and proudly graduated from Weslaco High School in 1955.

In 1956, John joined the United States Army and served two years in Germany. After returning in 1958, he began working for Rio Grande Valley Gas, later Southern Union Gas, and then Valero Energy. In 1960, he met the love of his life, Diane Frasier, and they were married for 62 years. In 1997, John retired and relocated to Kerrville, where he worked part-time as a long-distance driver for Cecil Atkission Motors.

John attended First Baptist Church in Weslaco, where he was a member of the Baptist Men, helped rebuild the Baptistry, and served on multiple committees. He was always the first to volunteer and assist when needed. He often drove the youth to summer camps and quietly supported those in need and less fortunate. He started each day with his Savior Jesus Christ in quiet Bible Study. After retiring to Kerrville, John and Diane joined Trinity Baptist Church, and they enjoyed retirement mornings at The Donut Palace in Kerrville with friends from Trinity.

John was an avid hunter. As a child, he came to the Hill Country with his father at the young age of five for his first hunt. In retirement, he was happy to purchase a small ranch where he could carry on the hunting tradition with his two grandsons.

John is preceded in death by his loving wife, Diane; his parents, Alma Lucille and Eddie Preston Hays, both of Weslaco; his sister and her husband, Alma and Truman Lyles.

Surviving loved ones include his daughter, Cindy (Jerry) Sadler (Harlingen, Texas); son, Steve (Staci) Hays (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina); grandchildren, Tiffany Stanley (Kerrville, Texas), Kyle Sadler (Kerrville, Texas), Preston Hays (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina); and beloved family pets, Lily, Raindrop, Lovie, and Cali.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville. John will be interred with his wife, Diane, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

The family would like to warmly thank residents of The Wilderness and River Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center employees, where he spent his last few months.

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