Obituary
Funeral services for George Hay, 96, of Portales will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 17, 2023, in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Brad Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery. After the service, the Masonic Lodge across the street from the funeral home will be open. Anyone who is able is welcome to bring a side dish or dessert and stay to eat and celebrate George’s wonderful life.
George Karl Hay, a respected rancher of Pep, NM died on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Portales, New Mexico. He was 96 years old and had a long and fulfilling life. George Karl Hay was born on January 24, 1927, in Roswell, New Mexico to the home of Anna Margaret (Klyng) and Eugene Wells Hay, and spent his life on the ranchland that his family has owned for 107 years. He worked the ranch for 96 years raising and branding cattle. He was a humble man who worked hard, loved his family, enjoyed dancing and treasured his days on the ranch.
He met his soulmate, Fern, in May of 1942 and married her on December 4, 1954. They had two wonderful children together, Jeannette and Worth. He served in the U.S. Army from August 1945 to January 1947. He was a Freemason and a lifelong participant in the Roosevelt County Soil & Water Conservation District.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Fern and his son Worth. He is survived by his daughter Jeannette and her two sons (grandsons) Bryan Bass and wife Adelita, Derek Bass and wife Samantha and three great-grandchildren Bryce, Charlie and Mikaela.
