Ruth King Boyer

 

Ruth King Boyer, 96, Hays, died Friday, September 6, 2013 at the Trego-Lemke Memorial Hospital in Wakeeney, Kansas.

 

She was born September 14, 1916 in Hays, Kansas the daughter of George King and Pearl (Reed) King. She is survived by a son Brad, Hays, Kansas, and a niece Val King, Denver, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Paul William King, and her husband Jay Clair Boyer.

Ruth graduated from Lincoln Elementary School; Hays High School; and Fort

Hays State College with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1940. She had a

lifetime teaching certification and taught briefly in the Hoisington School System.

While at Fort Hays State College Ruth lettered in Women’s Field Hockey

becoming an early woman member of the FHSC “K” Club.

Ruth married Jay Boyer on May 10th 1941. During the Second World War they

lived in Wichita, Kansas, while Jay was a supervisor at Boeing doing inspections

and certifications on bombers. After a brief move to Estes Park, Colorado, they

returned to Hays in 1947 where Jay became a field tester for Haliburton

Corporation. In 1957, they formed Brad Oil Tools Corporation.

Ruth was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution; Eastern Star; Fort

Hays State Half Century Club Board and the Ellis County Historical Society.

Athlete, teacher, wife, mother and history buff. A source of strength, support,

compassion, love, and funny jokes. She had a deep appreciation of the history of

Hays and her many stories entertained all she met.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 20, 2013 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm until service time. The family suggests donations to the Fort Hays State Foundation for the Football Fund or to the Ellis County Historical Society.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com