The Honorable David Gregory Kays officially took his seat on the United States District Court Western District of Missouri in a ceremony Thursday afternoon before a large gathering of family, dignitaries, friends and well-wishers.
Kays stepped down as a circuit court judge in May to take the seat on the federal bench. Morgan County attorney Ken Hayden has been appointed to fill Kays’ former seat.
He was sworn into the court by retiring federal Judge Dean Whipple. Kays was appointed earlier this year by President George W. Bush to replace Whipple, who is also from Lebanon.
Kays wife, Julie and daughter, Slone, held the Bible during the ceremony at the Kenneth Cowen Civic Center as his parents looked on.
In his remarks following the ceremony, Kays said he was humbled and somewhat overwhelmed.
It was, he said, a glorious day that 20 years ago when he was first elected, he never would have thought possible. 
In a light-hearted moment during an otherwise formal ceremony, Kays announced that his grandmother, Gladys Slone, whose birthday is on Friday, had managed to make it to the ceremony despite a fall last week that nearly prevented her from coming.
Kays asked those gathered to help him wish “Grandma Slone” a happy birthday.

Greg Kays …

• Is the 31st judge to hold the seat in the 186-year history of the United States District Court.
• Has referred to Judge Dean Whipple as his mentor.
• Is a conservative Republican .
• Was first elected to the Laclede County prosecuting attorney’s office in 1990.
• Was elected to the associate judge’s seat in Laclede County in 1994; 10 years later he was elected to the 26th Judicial Circuit Court.

Contact this reporter at joycem@lakesunleader.com