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In
loving memory of John Hays
The American Dexter
Cattle Association wishes to acknowledge the passing of one of the
founding members of this organization. Mr. John Hays who passed away in
November of 2004 at the age of 92. His wife of 60 years, our dear friend
and fellow Dexter breeder Belle Hays survives him.
John was an Attorney
by profession. Music was his 2nd love in life (Belle his
first). He played bass trombone with the San Francisco Symphony as well
as several others and was a composer of Symphonic works.
The Hays purchased
their “Talisman Farm” in Comptche, California in 1973. John and Belle
bought their first Dexter cattle in the fall of 1974 when he bought four
cows sight unseen from a breeder in Indiana and later that year
purchased a bull from a breeder in Texas. This formed the nucleus of
what was to become the "Talisman" Dexter herd.
John was a key player
in the reorganization of the group known as "American Kerry and Dexter
Club", incorporated in 1943. This became the American Dexter Cattle
Association incorporated in January of 1978, the organization that we
know now. John wrote the Articles of Incorporation and the original and
updated By-Laws for the ADCA from 1977 until 1989 and acted as Director
for the original Pacific Region.
John took on the
arduous task of compiling the information of several others and
the first edition of the "Dexter Cattle" book was published in 1984. At
the ADCA annual meeting at Chico, CA, in 1994 both John and Belle were
made Honorary Lifetime members of the ADCA.
Active Dexter
breeders, the ADCA online pedigree shows the Hay’s having registered at
least 66 animals under the “Talisman” herd name. John and Belle both
were strong supporters of the "Original” type Dexter; small, black, with
white horns having black tips. Belle still has two of their Talisman
cows but they have been retired from producing calves.
In 2004 before John’s
passing, he and Belle put together the 4th Edition of "Dexter Cattle"
and Belle presented it as a gift to the Association to carry John's name
on in the world of Dexter Breeders. This brings the printing total of
his book to1700 copies. We are truly grateful for their efforts and
generosity!
John’s name will not
be forgotten in the hearts and minds of many Dexter breeders. He is as
much a part of U.S. Dexters as the animals themselves.
American Dexter
Cattle Association 2005 |
