Robert F. Hays, 74, Sarasota and formerly of Port Charlotte, died March 7, 2002.

He was born April 27, 1927, in Syracuse, N.Y., and was a lifelong resident of Florida. He was an assistant pastor and senior pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church. He graduated with an A.B. degree from Florida Southern College and with a B.D. degree from Southern Methodist University. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 82nd Airbourne-508 Parachute Infantry. He was a member of Sarasota Bay Rotary Club and Florida Conference of United Methodist Churches.

Survivors include his wife, Lois; daughters Marilee of Sarasota, Terilyn Brennan of Severna Park, Md., and Betsy Baily of Charlotte, N.C.; sons John F. of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jim Krill of Sarasota, Donald B. of Apex, N.C., and Edward M. Racht of Austin, Texas; and nine grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church. Burial will be private. Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Gulf Gate Chapel, is in charge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 4150 S. Shade Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231.

(Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, FL, 9 Mar 2002, Page BCE14 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker)