Mr. Mark Allen Hays

Funeral services for Mr. Mark Allen Hays, 64, of Laneville, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 in the chapel at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home with his nephews, Rev. Steven Hays and Kit Maddox officiating. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Tuesday, at the funeral home. Mark Allen Hays was born in Henderson, Texas on October 10, 1959 to James and Jess Hays of Laneville. He completed his life’s journey on January 5, 2024. His life was filled with love of family and friends. Mark knew the value of hard work and was fortunate to live a life he loved. He chose to follow his parents' footsteps to farm, fish, hunt, and trap. I’m sure most of you who knew him have eaten his watermelons, peas, and squash. God definitely gave him a green thumb when it came to growing anything from vegetables to sunflowers to decorative pumpkins. When it wasn’t growing season, he ran the Hays Fish Market and operated a deer processing facility. Mark especially loved the night before deer season when all the family got together at a bonfire to plan their hunts. His joy at having crawfish boils with family and friends was evident in how often he did these. In the last few years, his health prevented him from doing much but he held close the memories. This deer season, he was able to drive to the deer stand and pour out deer corn from his truck window for Amanda and Cade. He loved to watch TV. Anytime you would ask him what he was watching, his answer was always Gunsmoke. I’m sure he was able to watch all the episodes. He leaves so many behind to cherish his memory. First and foremost, his daughters, whom he loved unconditionally, Amanda Hays Wherry and husband, Jay, and Bonnie Hays; his precious grandsons, Cade and Conner Wherry and Rhett Hairston; his sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Joe Maddox; along with numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, James and Jess Hays; grandparents, Otto and Lily Hays; grandparents Walter and Edith Berghofer of Australia; brother Steve Hays; best friend and brother, Charlie Tyson. How do you sum up a life of 64 years in a few words? By the actions and love of and for that person. His life touched so many. One dear friend of his said, “I learned to eat buffalo fish because of Mark. When our family didn’t have anything, Mark would somehow show up with a tub of buffalo fish for us to eat. He was and remains part of our family.” This is a testament of Mark’s character and heart. The quotes “Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what” and “Good friends show their love in times of trouble, not just in times of happiness” sums up the love shown by and shown to Mark. Pallbearers will be Colby Fears, Brady Green, Greg Green, Marc Green, Nathan Holland, Kit Maddox, and Scotty Smitherman. Honorary pallbearers will be Mac Bolton, Alvin Green, and Joe Watts. The family is very appreciative of all the messages and prayers. We love you. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. Mark Allen Hays

October 10, 1959 - January 5, 2024