Kay Morris Haws

Kay Morris Haws, 93, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2024 in Bountiful. He was born on October 17, 1930, in Vernal, Utah to Morris A. and Millie Kay Haws. A sister, Marsha, joined the family 14 years later.

Kay graduated from Uintah High School as valedictorian and attended the University of Utah graduating with a Masters in Educational Psychology in 1958. Kay served in the U.S. Army from 1953 - 1955. He taught at Vernal Central Elementary School one year, then worked on the Flaming Gorge Dam.

Kay married Jean Johnstun in Vernal, Utah on June 14, 1958. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake temple in February 1993. The couple moved to Bountiful in 1960 where they raised their daughters: Merikay, JaNae and JoJeanne. Kay and Jean were married for 64 years until Jean's death on August 25, 2022. Kay moved to Creekside Senior Living in May, 2024.

Kay loved being an educator. Besides being an elementary teacher, he led a Ute Indian Summer Camp then worked for the Indian Services U of U Division of Continuing Education. Most of his career he worked at the Utah State Office of Education in charge of the state GED program as well as educational programs at prisons and youth in custody facilities. He took great pleasure in helping others achieve. After Kay retired in 1994 he tutored classes in GED preparation as a volunteer.

Kay loved spending time with his family and the outdoors. Uintah Basin, where Kay grew up, was his "Heaven on Earth". In his youth he learned to love nature while fishing, hunting, rock collecting and gardening. He had a great appreciation for beauty in nature. With brightly colored blooms from spring to fall, Kay's garden was a sight to behold. When cold weather arrived Kay enjoyed growing hibiscus, bougainvillea, and other plants in his solarium. Neighbors were often invited to see his night-blooming cereus.

Kay and Jean built a family cabin at Canyon Rim Ranches as a gathering place for hikes, campfires, fishing and wonderful meals. Whether in the mountains, at home or traveling, Kay always marveled at the changing cloud patterns, interesting rock formations, and varied plant communities. He had a special affection for frogs and more than 1,000 frogs shared his home.

Kay and Jean were service missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from January 2000 to February 2002 working with the homeless and refugees. They also worked together doing indexing of family history records.

Kay will be dearly missed by family and friends as he knew how to love and to serve. Kay was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jean Johnstun Haws. He is survived by his sister Marsha (Bob) Porterfield of Vancouver, WA and three daughters: Merikay (Jeffrey) Smith of Darnestown, MD; JaNae (John) Urry of Centerville, UT; and JoJeanne (Kim) Wahlquist of North Ogden, UT; ten grandchildren (Marie, Laura, Matthew, Carina, Ryan, Genevieve, Kyle, Brian, Justin and Cameron) and seventeen great-grandchildren.

We are so thankful for all the wonderful neighbors, friends and workers who have helped our family throughout the years.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, July 8, 2024 at the Bountiful 27th Ward, 1145 North 200 East, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Sunday evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful and Monday afternoon from 3:00-3:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment - Lakeview Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.