Merle O. "Bones" Nay, 91, died May 6, 2022, at Good Samaritan Society – Hutchinson Village. He was born July 25, 1930, in Wichita, to Harold S. and Helen J. (McCormick) Nay.

Bones graduated from Wichita North High School in 1949, where he was president of his senior class. He attended Northwestern University before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1950. After his discharge in 1953, Bones attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1957.

He coached and taught in three state high schools, served one year as Activities Director at Hutchinson High School, four years as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Butler County Community College, Athletic Director at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Athletic Director at Dodge City Community College, and Assistant Athletic Director at Kansas State University. Bones also served as State Director of the Kansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has given over 300 presentations to a wide variety of events throughout the Midwest.

After retirement, Bones received his pastoral license and served as Senior Adult Pastor at First Church of the Nazarene in Hutchinson.

In 1952, he married Georgia Norene Prock in Wichita. They shared 66 years of marriage before her death on April 29, 2019.

Bones is survived by: his daughter, Cynde Kitch (Rick) of Hutchinson; grandsons, Ross Kitch of Hutchinson, Scott Kitch (Andrea) of Manhattan; step-grandchildren, Junilda Scribner (Daniel), Jeremy Tucker (Toni); great-granddaughters, Liby Lee Kitch, Kinley Grace Kitch; great-grandson, Kasen Scott Kitch; and step-great-grandchildren, Alex Marie, Talan, and Ty Scribner.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Christopher Nay.

Cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life service will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2022, at First Church of the Nazarene, 4290 N. Monroe, Hutchinson. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Marine Corps honor guard. The service will be livestreamed and the link to view it will be in his obituary on the funeral home website.

To view the service, click here https://boxcast.tv/view/nay-memorial-service-gflrbytjgsqheemcjdqb or here https://www.hutchfirstnaz.org/church-online/

Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at First Church of the Nazarene.

Memorials are suggested to First Church of the Nazarene (for the benefit of youth ministries), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.