Dec. 7, 1953 – May 6, 2019
John Neil Hay Jr., 65, of Sweet Home, died May 6, 2019 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.
He was born Dec. 7, 1953 in Hastings, Neb., the son of John Neil and LaVern (Daniels) Hay. The family lived in several places before settling in Sweet Home in 1965
Mr. Hay graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1972. While in school he was on the swim team and was captain his senior year.
He then attended Southern Oregon College, where he was also on the swim team.
After returning to Sweet Home, he worked for various mills in Sweet Home until retiring from Weyerhaeuser in 2017.
Mr. Hay married Kathleen “Kathy” Gillespie on July 4, 1981 in Lake Tahoe, Nev.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved going to the woods and riding ATVs.
Mr. Hay is survived by his wife, Kathy Hay of Sweet Home; sons J.T. and daughter-in-law Meaghan of Spokane, Wash., and Dustin Hay of Sweet Home; brothers Jerry and sister-in-law Bev, Jim and sister-in-law Lori, and Clark and sister-in-law Angie Hay, all of Sweet Home, and Scott and sister-in-law Gretchen Hay of Mt. Angel; a granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He is also survived by his extended families, the Gillespies and Gagners.
He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Casey Hanscam, niece Amy Maisto, and father-in-law Duane Gagner.
Recitation of the Rosary and memorial Mass were held May 11 at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.