Dale Leon Harwood, 52, of Hays, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 at his home in Hays.
He was born Dec. 31, 1967, in Fort Sill, Okla., to Gordon Dale and Della Mae (Ritter) Harwood. He married Cindy (Leiker) on Dec. 18, 1999, at Hays.
He was a warehouse worker, a mechanic at Fort Riley, Kan., maintenance worker at Fort Hays State University, a teacher, was a museum director at Rooks County Historical Society, and moved to Hays in 1991.
He grew up in Palco. He was a 1986 graduate of Natoma High School and a received a master’s degree in history from Fort Hays State University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the Kansas National Guard and served in Desert Storm.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy Harwood, of the home; one daughter, Dorene Thompson, Hays; two grandchildren, Jace Harwood and Ryan James Thompson; his mother, Della Harwood, Ellis; and his mother-in-law, Sherry Leiker, Hays.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon D. Harwood; one infant brother, Allen Troy Ritter; and his father-in-law, James J. Leiker.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at the Hays Christian Church, 22nd and Marshall Road, Hays. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney, with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.
Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd St., and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, at Hays Christian Church, 22nd and Marshall Road.
The family suggests memorials to Hays Christian Church, Hays.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E.22nd St., Hays, KS 67601. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com