Mark Edward Hays

Not all heroes wear capes—ours wore overalls. Mark Edward Hays was born on December 31, 1954, in South Dakota. Ardmore, Oklahoma, became his hometown and is where he lived a life dedicated to his family until his passing on February 23, 2024, at the age of sixty-nine.

Mark married the love of his life, Pam, on July 26, 1974. Their lives were changed forever on April 14, 1985, when their son, Jeremiah, was born. Mark always had his baby boy with him, strapped on his back in a carrier. Mark took raising a son seriously, so he did what any good dad would do: he showed Jeremiah early on how to drop a quarter into the slot machines in Las Vegas. Making his dad proud, a tiny Jeremiah hit for $100, and picked out a bicycle with his earnings. Under his dad’s wing and guidance, he learned how to ride it.

Mark was more than a wonderful husband and father. He was a master at carpentry and a skilled woodworker. He could build a home from the ground up; no one who knew him dared to build anything without consulting Mark first. He was a dedicated, hard worker, and his family was always proud of his strong work ethic.

Mark loved Western films. His favorite show was “Gunsmoke.” He adored his nieces and nephews, and would give anyone who needed it the shirt off his back. Mark cared deeply about people, and always put others first. He never judged another for their mistakes, but saw the best in everyone. Tough times and good ones alike, Mark would love you through them. His full-bodied laugh was contagious, but if his laughter didn’t make you happy, his burgers and steaks would do the trick. Family would flock when Mark grilled what his other boy, Scott, called his “Heavenly burgers.”

Mark loved a lot of people, especially his mother, Shirley Hays. He never outgrew his love for her green chili. He loved his best friends—Nathan Williams and Billy Barbour—and Terrell D. Tucker, who was more like a brother than a friend.

Mark joins many loved ones who undoubtedly embrace his spirit with joy now: his mother, Shirley Hays; father, Frank Hays; brother, Hank Hays; brother-in-law, Steven Shaw; and nephews, Allen Shaw and Chase Tucker.

His legacy and light live on in his beloved wife, Pam Hays; son Jeremiah (Noel) Hays, and grandchildren, Isabella and Benji Hays; son Scott (Rebekah) Hays, and grandchildren, Myles, Zeppelin, and Romee Hays; siblings Frank Hays, Marcella Polson, Bobby Hays, Janet Miller, and Matt Hays; mother-in-law Sue Hawkins—who thought Mark was the best son-in-law she could ask for—and husband Ron Hawkins. The blessing of Mark’s life also lives on in countless brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, and friends.

Honorary Pallbearers, Clint Hays, Mark Hays, Steven Pierce, Dylan Pierce, Benji Hays, Myles Hays.

Internment services for Mark Hays will be held on Thursday, February 29th, at 2:00 PM at Bomar Point Cemetery in Wilson, OK, and will be open to the community. The family invites all who wish to honor Mark’s legacy to join them for a Celebration of Life at 6:00 PM, following the internment service, at Abundant Life Church, 421 L Street, Ardmore, OK. Services will be led by Pastors Michael Caraway and Diana Morris.  

Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Healdton.