Sadly, Ken Bays passed away Tuesday morning. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Southside Rotarian Kenneth Jackson Bays, a former coach, principal. school administrator and Air Force Colonel passed away an March 23, 2010. Born in Springfield MO on April 27, 1925, to Newell Jackson Bays and May (Silvey) Bays. At 17, he entered the military as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corp becoming an instructor pilot. Later he earned his Bachelors Degree at Southwest MO State University and his Masters Degree from University of Tulsa.
While life guarding at SMS, Ken met Rosalind Walker of Springfield MO and they married in 1946. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary together. Ken appreciated all of God’s creations, but particularly loved to soar in flight and to tend the earth. As a Colonel in The Oklahoma Air National Guard, he literally flew around the world in a variety of aircraft from the F-80 fighterjet to the C-124 “Old Shakey” transport. His other avocation was his manicured lawn and gardens. His career in education began as a coach in Marshall TX, later serving more than 34 years in the Tulsa Public Schools.
Read full Tulsa World writeup on Ken Bays
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Oklahoma Educational Memorial Trust Foundation, Clarehouse, Southside Rotary or other fund of your choice, in loving memory of Kenneth J. Bays.
His service will be Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m. at Asbury Methodist Church.
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Sustainable Tulsa and the Tulsa Southside Rotary Club and Foundation have joined together to create the inaugural Henry Bellmon Sustainability Awards Gala. Both Sustainable Tulsa and the Tulsa Southside Rotary Club and Foundation are focused on assisting Tulsa to create a more livable community in which to raise our families.
