Stanley H. Kays

Stanley H. Kays, 96, of McNabb died on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at his residence. Stanley was born on June 21, 1918 in rural McNabb to John Byrd Kays and Luella Sarah (Johnston) at home on their farm. He was the youngest of seven children. He married Pat Tuetken on January 20, 1978 in Alton, IL. He started his career on the river in February, 1937 as a mess boy, sailor man and deck hand on the stern wheeler steamboat, E.D. Kenna owned by Ohio River Company. In February, 1939, he worked as a deckhand on the W.AA. Shephard (a towboat) owned by the Central Barge Line. Later that year he worked as a cook and deckhand on the M/V Kenton and then a deckhand and second mate on the M/V Alexander McKenzie. In 1940, he became mate on the M/V Sylivia T and by 1941 was Captain and pilot on several vessels including the M/V Kenton, M/V Kosmos, M/V Mustang, M/V Brokamp, M/V Resoult and M/V Sylvia T. Stan's early career also included time working on the M/V Calumet on the Illinois River, but he also navigated the Mississippi, Tennessee, Monogahela, Kanawa, Tiger and Ohio Rivers. From 1947-1950, Stan served as Chief engineer and asst. engineer on the M/V Runie, Sylvia T and Calumet. In 1950, Stan moved to shore as foreman of the repair gang in Joliet for Central Barge Line which was then bought by Valley Line in 1952. In 1955, Federal Barge Line hired Stan at the Chicago area manager. 1960 brought another change for Stan as Material Service offered him a job as Marine Superintendent which he kept until 1962 when he went to work for Joliet Marine Supply, a division of Union Mechling, as General Manager. From 1968 - 1969, Stan worked as Marine Superintendent for Wisconsin barge. In 1969, Stan made his last change as he found a home at SCNO Barge Lines, working a Marine Superintendent in Hartford, IL. Stan made the facility of "Mr. Cole" a well known feature to vessels working the Missouri River. Stan developed a team of employees that did vessel repairs, barge maintenance and salvage. He led the group of captains and pilots that navigated the Missouri River and helped SCNO become a leader on the Missouri River. In 1978, Stan was asked to manage the SCNO fleet in Luling, LA, which he accepted, and where he worked until his retirement in 1988. Stan Kays is well known in the river industry and his contributions to the training and development of so many people that continue to be industry leaders today is amazing. Stan is truly one of the t he pioneers of the modern day tow boating industry. Survivors are his wife, Pat of McNabb: one son Stanley A. Kays of Houston, TX; two daughters, Judy Terando of McNabb and Kathy Mekley of McNabb; one step son, Kenneth Maxeiner of Lake Charles, LA; 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters and two son-in-laws, Mark Terando and Bob Mekley and one step son and one step daughter. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Putnam County Ambulance or St. Margaret's Hospice.

Service/Memorial Information

Celebration of Life will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Dysart - Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville. Cremation rites have been accorded.

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