Vernon Hayes of Great Bend will celebrate his 80th birthday with an Open House from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the Front Door, 1615 E. 10th St. Hosts for the event will be his children Ronnie, Robin and Lisa.

Vernon was born in Feb. 11, 1942, in Great Bend. He was employed for the Great Bend Fire Department for over 40 years and retired as Assistant Chief at the Great Bend Fire Department in 2009. Vernon married Patricia Johnson in 1961 and they raised a family together. They were married for 39 years until she passed in 1999. He married Karen Perry in 2000 and his family grew even more. He has a son Ronnie Hayes and wife Brenda of Great Bend and two daughters, Robin and Byron Folkerts of Derby and Lisa and Jeff Davis of Omaha, Neb. Karen has two sons, Mike (Pam) Perry and Jason Perry. Between them, they have 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to 304 Point Drive, Great Bend, KS 67530.