Dale Leon Harwood, age 52, of Hays passed away Thursday, January 23, 2020 at his home in Hays.

He was born December 31, 1967, in Fort Sill, Okla. to Gordon Dale and Della Mae (Ritter) Harwood. He married Cindy (Leiker) on December 18, 1999, at Hays.

He was a warehouse worker, a mechanic at Fort Riley, Kansas, maintenance worker at Fort Hays State University, a teacher, was a museum director at Rooks County Historical Society, and moved to Hays in 1991.

He grew up in Palco, was a 1986 graduate of Natoma High School and received a Master’s Degree in History from Fort Hays State University. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, U. S. Navy, the Kansas National Guard and served in Desert Storm.

Survivors include: his wife, Cindy Harwood, of the home; one daughter, Dorene Thompson, Hays; two grandchildren; and his mother, Della Harwood, Ellis.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon D. Harwood; one infant brother, Allen Troy Ritter; and his father-in-law, James J. Leiker.

Funeral services were held Monday, January 27, 2020, at the Hays Christian Church, with burial following at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney. Military honors were provided by the Hays V. F. W. Post No. 9076.

The family suggests memorials to the Hays Christian Church.

Services were entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.