Shirley Kay (Bolinger) Gaston

Shirley Kay Gaston

Shirley Kay Gaston, 83, Hays, died Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Hays Good Samaritan Society.

She was born August 23, 1939 in Wichita, the daughter of Clifford Wayne and Ruth Oneita (Newton) Bolinger.  She graduated from Wichita West High School in 1957, where she was a cheerleader, and on April 12, 1963 she was united in marriage to James Douglas “Doug” Gaston in Wichita.  They celebrated 25 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on June 22, 1988.  Doug and Shirley lived in several towns throughout Kansas before moving to Hays in 1985.  After raising her family, Shirley began her professional career and worked in the Personnel Department at Fort Hays State University until her retirement in 2002.  Shirley had a strong faith in God and was an early member of Agape Southern Baptist Church, which is now Crosspoint Church.  She enjoyed music, playing piano, watching sports, traveling, sewing, crafts, cooking, and baking.  Her children and grandchildren were the center of her life.

Survivors include her sons, Troy Gaston and wife Marty of Sanford, NC and Terry Gaston and wife Tami of Gering, NE, five grandchildren, Leanne Kenner and husband Jonathan, Jason Gaston and wife Katie, Brett Gaston, Aaron Gaston and wife Abigail and Christopher Gaston and wife Kylee, and five great grandchildren, Holt Gaston, Annie Gaston, Parks Gaston, Colby Kenner, and Rhys Gaston.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Doug, and a son, Richard Gaston.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, with Pastor Micah Sanderson officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time at the funeral home.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Old Mission Cemetery in Wichita.  Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Council of Ellis County or to Hospice of HaysMed.  Condolences and memories of Shirley may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

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