Jay Dean Klatt

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 Tuesday, January 7th following a short illness.
Jay was born on February 25, 1945, in McPherson, KS to Melvon and Claudine Klatt. Klatt grew up in Canton, KS with his parents and younger brother, Eugene, completing elementary and high school in Canton. On the family farm north of Canton, Jay helped with his dad's wheat farm and raised livestock to show as local fairs. Jay attended college in Pittsburg, KS where he met his wife, Lois Ann Loncarich. Following their marriage, Jay was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army in Vietnam where he honorably completed his military service.
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.
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.
A Celebration of Life for Jay Klatt was held on Sunday, January 12, at the First United Methodist Church of Monett. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Canton Township Cemetery. A second internment of ashes with Military Honors at Owsley Union Cemetery (Longview, MO) on March 22 at 2PM.
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 Jay's nieces Gina Westoff, Tara Angell, and Carissa Klatt. Extended family in the Canton area include several cousins.
Extended family members in Southwest Missouri include in-laws Patsy and James Loncarich, of Neosho, and numerous nephews and nieces and other family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Canton Community Church in support of children and youth ministries in care of Olson's Mortuary, PO Box 355, Canton, KS 67428.
Cremation services were provided by Mason - Woodard Mortuary in Joplin, MO. Canton internment services are provided by Olson's Mortuary, Canton.