Terry “Rick” James Hayes

Terry “Rick” James Hayes, 83, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026. He was born February 20, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, and spent some of his early years living in Germany. Rick lived a full life filled with family, faith, hard work, adventure, laughter, and an unwavering desire to help others.

Rick proudly served in the United States Army, where he worked on missile sites and was based in Leavenworth, Kansas. But perhaps the most important chapter of his life began on August 23, 1963, when he married his true love, Judy Hayes, in Gladstone, Missouri. Together, Rick and Judy shared nearly 63 loving years of marriage and built a life centered around family, faith, and countless memories.

In 1964, Rick and Judy welcomed their son, Terry, followed by their daughter, Cherie, in 1966. The family spent time living in various parts of the United States before eventually settling into the next great chapter of their lives in Missouri.

While living in Colorado, Rick accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and became involved with a local church. It was the pastor there who inspired Rick to move his family to Springfield, Missouri, so he could attend Central Bible College. Rick followed that calling and graduated in 1977. He went on to pastor several local churches and even started his own chapter of Royal Rangers, where he ministered to underprivileged young people through camping trips, outdoor activities, and simply being someone they could count on.

Rick never forgot his humble beginnings. Throughout his life, he believed in lending a hand to anyone who needed it. He never judged a person by where they came from or what they had been through. He simply saw people for who they were and looked for ways to help. He had a gift for making people feel heard, valued, and encouraged.

While pastoring, Rick also began working at Finkbiner Transfer and Storage. He learned every aspect of the business, working in a variety of roles before eventually purchasing the company in 1998. Under Rick’s leadership, Finkbiner became much more than a business; it became a true family. Judy and their children, Terry and Cherie, all worked there, and the bond Rick shared with his employees and coworkers was so strong that they became family, too.

Rick gave everything he did 110 percent, and Finkbiner was no exception. One of his greatest goals as owner was to see the company reach its 100th anniversary. He accomplished that dream before selling the business in 2022 after 24 years of ownership.

Outside of work, Rick was always looking for his next adventure. He loved camping and boating at Table Rock Lake with family and friends and spent many summers at Castle View Campground. Rick and Judy also loved escaping the Missouri winters, often spending three months at a time in Florida with friends. Those trips were something they looked forward to every year.

Rick was a collector of unique things, with a particular love for cars and an impressive collection of World War II memorabilia. He was fascinated by history and loved having a good story to tell. And Rick always had a story. Between his stories, jokes, and pranks, he could keep a room laughing and listening for hours.

One of Rick’s greatest hobbies and adventures began in 2011, when he went to an auction in Nixa intending to buy a couple of trucks for his business. In true Rick fashion, he came home having bought the entire building and the land where the auction was being held.

That property became affectionately known as “Tracker” to his family and friends and grew into something far more meaningful than a piece of land. It became a gathering place—a place where Chiefs games are watched, birthdays and Thanksgivings are celebrated, weekends are spent, and memories are made. Rick spent countless hours working on the property and especially loved mowing the land. Tracker was his happy place, and it is now a happy place for so many people who loved him.

Anyone who knew Rick would likely describe him in much the same way: a great listener, a wonderful motivator, a man who always had good advice, and someone who was always up for something fun. He was rarely seen without a smile on his face. Many people looked to Rick for guidance, and he was always willing to give it.

One of his favorite pieces of advice was simple: “Don’t complicate your life.” It was advice he seemed to live by. Enjoy the people around you, help when you can, have some fun, and don’t take life too seriously.

Rick’s family will forever carry on his collection of “Hick-isms”—the funny sayings and expressions that were uniquely his and have become part of the family’s everyday language. One of his favorites was, “I ain’t again it,” his way of saying he was up for something or willing to give something new a try.

Above all, Rick wanted to leave this world better than he found it. He did that through his faith, his family, his friendships, his work, his ministry, and the countless people he encouraged along the way.

Rick was not afraid of what came next. He was excited to explore heaven, meet his Creator, and reunite with the family and friends who had gone before him. His family finds comfort in knowing that he is now walking the streets of gold with Jesus.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Hayes; his son, Terry Hayes, and his children, Cassie and Taylor Hayes; his daughter, Cherie Edwards, her husband, Joey Edwards, and their children, Trenton Zuhlke, Austin (Whitney) Edwards, and Lindsey (Colton) Fann; his sister, Cathy Speer-Ortiz, and her children, Chris Speer and Mandy Speer; Mandy’s children, Caden and Camya Speer; his brother-in-law, Ken Hollander, and his son, Cole Hollander; as well as numerous cousins, extended family members, and a whole host of friends who loved him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at the Christian County Elks Lodge, 2401 N. 17th St., Ozark, Missouri.

Please join his family and friends for an afternoon of celebrating a wonderful man, a life well lived, and the many memories Rick leaves behind.  Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.