Richard Eugene Hailey

Richard Eugene Hailey, 84, of Republic, passed away in his home with family at his side, on Wednes- day, April 24, 2019. He was born Aug. 25, 1934, in Wheaton, the son of Paul Weldon and
Opal Jean (Duncan) Hailey. Hailey served his country proudly
for two years in the U.S. Army, as a teletype operator in the demilitarized zone of Korea. During this time, he wrote a letter to his sweet Kathryn every day. He began dating her when she was age 14, and five years later, on April 8, 1956, Richard and Kathryn Mary Lee were united in marriage.
After his retirement from Journagan in 2000, he and Kathryn traveled all over the United States, often with their grandchild. They also traveled to Hawaii, England and Scotland.
Hailey was a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Republic.
He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Eugene Hailey, II; his parents; a brother, Charles Hailey; and two brothers-in-law, Lee Audirsch, and J.R. Marney.
Haileyissurvivedbyhiswifeof63years,Kathryn;two children and their spouses, Jonathan and Keri Hailey, and Noel and Mark Perkin; a special daughter-in-law, Pam Hailey; six grandchildren and their spouses, nine great-grandchildren; a future great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Paula Audirsch and Linda Marney; a sister- in-law, Bonnie Hailey; and numerous other beloved family and friends.
A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, in Calvary Baptist Church, 804 US Highway 60, Republic, MO 65738, under the direc- tion of Meadors Funeral Home. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Republic. Inlieuofflowers,memorialcontributionswillbemade to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Family and friends may share online condolences at www. meadorsfuneralhome.com.