Jay Klatt

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Jay Klatt – husband, father, grandfather, friend, farmer, veteran, and retired pipeliner of Pierce City, Missouri went to the great cattle farm in the sky on Monday, January 6, 2025 following a short illness. Klatt, aged 79, moved to Lawrence County, MO in 1994 with his wife Lois (nee Loncarich) when she became a local school administrator.

Jay was best known to Lawrence County, MO area residents as a hay and cattle farmer. He loved having a daily meal in downtown Pierce City with his farming friends. For several years many of these farming friends have assisted Jay in running his farms, and the family is very thankful to many in this group who have continued to offer assistance in the wake of his passing. The Klatt family is grateful for a close friend who is continuing to manage farming operations for the foreseeable future.

Prior to and after moving to Pierce City, Jay spent a lengthy career in the pipeline industry. For more than 30 years, Jay worked in various capacities as a pipeliner including as a heavy machinery operator and general superintendent. He was a dues paying member of the International Union of Operating Engineers until his retirement.

Jay and Lois moved to Pierce City from Cushing, Oklahoma, where they operated a small cattle and hay farm for nearly two decades, and where he and Lois raised their son, Anthony, and daughter, Rebecca.

During this same period, he traversed the United States working full-time as a pipeliner while Lois taught grade school and pursued advanced degrees in education.

In his early years, Jay attended college in Kansas, where he met Lois. Following their marriage he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army in Vietnam where he honorably completed his military service. Jay was born in 1945 in McPherson, KS to Melvon and Claudine Klatt. He completed elementary and high school while growing up on a wheat farm in Canton, KS.

A Celebration of Life for Jay Klatt is planned on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 2 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Monett, 1600 North Central Avenue. His friends and the community of people who knew Jay and who know Lois are invited. Following the service, which will be conducted by Brian Smith, First United Methodist Pastor, attendees are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall at the church for refreshments and conversation.

 

An internment of ashes at Owsley Union Cemetery with Military Honors will take place at a later date, which is to be announced. A second, private internment of ashes at Canton Township Cemetery in Jay’s hometown of Canton, KS is also planned for a future date.

Cremation services are being provided by Mason - Woodard Mortuary in Joplin, MO. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be directed to the transportation ministry at Monett First United Methodist Church.

Jay Klatt is survived by his wife of 60+ years, Lois, and their children, Anthony and
Rebecca. His son, Anthony Klatt, is a sales executive and designer who lives in Dallas,
TX. His daughter, Rebecca Klatt-Collins, is a criminal justice advocate and consultant,
who lives in Martinsburg, WV with her husband, John Collins. They have two adult
children, Hanna Collins and Matthew Collins. Jay’s brother, Eugene Klatt, and his wife
Linda live in Canton, KS. Eugene is the father of nieces Gina, Tara, and Carissa.
Extended family members in Southwest Missouri include in-laws Patsy and James
Loncarich, of Neosho, and numerous nephews and nieces and other family members.