Gail B. Hays

Gail B. Hays passed away on June 28, 2012 following an adverse reaction to a chemotherapy treatment. Gail was born in Port Orchard, Washington, to Howard and Laura Hays on September 14, 1918. Gail grew up in Forks, Washington, near where his grandmother had homesteaded in the 1800s, and graduated from Forks High School. He was attending the University of Washington when he enlisted in the navy during World War II. During the latter part of his service, he was stationed in Hawaii where he met H. Jean Stevens, a navy nurse. After the war, Gail and Jean were married and Gail resumed his education at UW, graduating with a degree in pharmacy. They moved to Wenatchee in 1951 where Gail became manager and pharmacist at Thrifty Drugs, located at the corner of Wenatchee Avenue and Palouse Street, where he continued to work until the mid 1970s. Gail was also a pharmacist at the Wenatchee Payless Drugs for a number of years until his retirement. Gail and Jean, who passed away in 1971, raised two sons, Steven and Jeffry, who both still reside in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. In December of 1973, Gail married Edith Sutton and his family grew with the addition of Edie's daughter, Carol (Sutton) George, and son, Jeff Sutton. Gail and Edie were married for over 30 years, until her death in 2004, and thoroughly enjoyed life with boating at Lake Chelan, wintering in Arizona and overseas travel. Gail had further travel experiences, joining the Apple Blossom Festival contingent on a trip to Misawa, Japan, as the Senior King and Queen with his dear friend Anne Tilly. Gail had one other large and important family, his Masonic brothers. Masonry was a very important part of his life and his Masonic friends were also among his best friends. Gail also had a long association with the Rotary Club and was active until just a few years ago. Gail is survived by his children and spouses, Steve (Maria) and Jeff (Penny) Hays, Carol (Gary) George and Jeff (Debbie) Sutton, a number of grandchildren and great-grand children, his brothers and sister, Arthur Hays, Lona McHargue, and Rolland Hays, and his dearest friends, Anne Tilly and John Lunt. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Masonic Center, 811 N. Chelan Ave., Wenatchee

Gail B. Hays

September 14, 1918 - June 28, 2012