Calaway Bryan “Cal” Nunnelee, 61, of Hays, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026, at his home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born April 16, 1965, in Artesia, New Mexico to Charles and Betty (Donaghey) Nunnelee.
Calaway was raised in eastern New Mexico and Odessa, Texas. He graduated in 1983 from Odessa High School and went to work in the oilfield alongside his father and brother. After the oil crash of the 80s, Calaway pursued work in the restaurant business. It was at Furr’s Cafeteria that he met his wife, Debbie. They were married on October 29, 1994. Together they raised a beautiful family of five children; whom Cal was incredibly proud.
Calaway enjoyed golf and loved spending time watching football with family, always remaining a loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys, (although he would admit the last several years tested his loyalty). He loved nothing more than cooking and entertaining for family and friends. He was an avid reader, history and travel enthusiast, and he cherished the memories of both domestic and European travel, often enjoying a pint at the local pub. His kids teased him that he went halfway around the world to do what he did at home. Calaway loved all the dogs he had throughout his life, but was closest to Emmitt his last dog of the home.
While in Colorado, Calaway was employed with Sodexo Management for 22 years. During the COVID pandemic, he was laid off work; it was during this time he took time to re-evaluate life and focus on what mattered most. Always a man of deep faith, Calaway used this time to slow down, pray daily rosaries, read scripture, and find a sense of balance and peace. It was this renewed perspective that he agreed to move his wife Debbie back home to Hays. After moving to Hays, Calaway was employed as Executive Director of Hays Housing Authority.
Calaway was a member of the St. Mary’s Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984 recently advancing to the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights. He was also involved with Marked Men for Christ. Cal volunteered to support his parishes in both Highlands Ranch and Hays; fish fries, rectory lawn care, and golf tournament support. He is a registered member of the Cherokee Native American tribe.
Calaway is survived and missed by his loving wife Debbie, his five children, Taylor and Jenna of Littleton, CO Alexander of Concord, NC, Nicholas and Alayna of Aurora, CO, Dalton and Danielle of Centennial, CO and Rachel and Erich Feth of Highlands Ranch, CO, and his granddaughter Kiesha Nunnelee. He will be forever cherished and remembered by his loving mother, Betty Nunnelee of Fort Davis, TX, his brother, Chuck of Midland, TX, and his brother Mike and wife Leisa of Haslet, TX. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Janet Klaus of Hays, his in-laws, Bill Klaus (Brenda), Bob Klaus (Tammy) of Hays, Karen Cederberg (Jim) of Centennial, CO, and Sharon Basinger of Littleton, CO, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.
Calaway is preceded in death by his father Charles Nunnelee, father-in-law Joe Klaus, and sister-in-law Mary Klaus Grizzle.
Calaway’s warmth, faith, humor, generosity, and devotion to family touched countless lives and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker, Fr. Fred Gatschet, and Fr. Luke Friess officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until service time on Tuesday, all at the church. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00, all on Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for the Unify, Beautify, Glorify Campaign or to St. Joseph Catholic Church for the Capital Campaign. Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Cal may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com