John Klay Obituary
He was born in Camden, NJ on August 28, 1946 to the late John F. and Elenore M. Whitaker Klay.
John received a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and his medical degree from Yale Medical School.
He married Sharon Malone on April 29, 1972. She preceded him in death on January 15, 2024.
John practiced cardiac and vascular surgery for forty-two years in New York, NY, Pittsburgh, PA and Wheeling, WV.
He was an avid gardener and vintner, and presided over the vineyards at Christian Klay Winery, and amassed a personal library of thousands of books of myriad subjects.
John is survived by his son, Christian Klay and wife Tia.
Services for John are private, and interment is in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church, 121 Walnut Hill Rd., Uniontown, PA 15401.
Your personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com
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Dr. John W. Klay, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
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vernann macmillan
November 6, 2025
just found out today that dr Klay passed away i will never forget him he took care of my Mom and then me in 2007 he was a wonderful doctor cared deeply for all his patients and to you Christian i´m so very sorry he was a great man as i´m sure you are also
Chris Ward
July 24, 2025
So very sorry to hear of his passing. He was such a nice man, always had a smile and cared for everyone he came into contact with.
Scott
July 23, 2025
Dr Klay was my surgeon back in 2000, I really liked him. He was a great Dr and friend he will be greatly missed
Michael blatt md
July 23, 2025
I knew John Clay for many years. He was both a colleague and a friend. We shared many difficult cases. I also appreciate his friendship over the years and had been a guest at his vineyard many times although he will be missed you we always remembered.
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Debbie Kettler
July 23, 2025
So very sorry to hear of Dr. Klay´s passing. He was always so very kind and was able to win my mom over when she needed a quadruple bypass. He was always available when we needed questions asked or change of treatment. RIP Dr Klay and may we meet again in God´s Glory some day.
Valerie Bell
July 22, 2025
So sorry to hear of Dr. Klay´s passing I enjoyed working with him at Wheeling Hospital. May he rest in peace. Condolences and prayers to his family.
Valerie
Tish H
July 22, 2025
Remember Dr. Klay well from working with him at Wheeling Hospital. Good surgeon and nice guy.
Trena McKitrick
July 22, 2025
So sorry to hear of Dr. Klays passing. He was such a nice person and excellent surgeon. I always enjoyed working with him at Wheeling Hospital. My sincere condolences to Christian, who he always talked about with pride.
Renda Muklewicz
July 21, 2025
At a time of my husbands health crisis Dr Klay was a calm caring kind voice and presence. Jen treated our family with respect and tenderness. Sending prayers of comfort to his loved ones.
Tanya Pinkston
July 20, 2025
I am so heartbroken reading about Dr Klay. I worked with him at Wheeling for many years. He was always so kind to nursing had the best smile and sense of humor. Truly was an angel my dad was diagnosed 2008 with metastatic gallbladder cancer and given 6 months. He was a civil engineer and could not understand why his gallbladder couldn´t be removed. Well from one engineer to another and both name John Dr. Klay took the time to visit my dad and explain why that couldn´t be done. They also talked about wine. Dad was a winery lover from California to West Virginia and in between. He later did surgery on my dad for filter when he had developed blood clots. Dr. Klay will always have a special place in my heart. Prayers for Christian and his family. Your Dad was a great man.
Louis Zimmerman
July 20, 2025
Dr. Klay performed Open Heart Surgery on in Pittsburgh at St. Francis Hospital on December 7, 1995. I was home in one week. No problemsfrom the surgery, but as I grew older I had a few Stents put in my Heart. Doing good now. Dr. Klay was a nice person. He will be missed.
Jessamine Courtwright
July 20, 2025
So sorry to hear I worked for him a long time ago. Such a nice man
Kelli Ford
July 20, 2025
So very sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Klay. Praying that God showers his family with peace and strength in their loss. I have many fond memories or working with Dr. Klay in Wheeling Hospital OR and am honored to have had that opportunity...the same opportunity my mother had when they worked together in Pittsburgh 35 years prior. I was amazed that Dr. Klay still remembered her. He will never be forgotten.
Michele Bauer
July 19, 2025
Very Sorry to hear of this. Dr Klay holds a very special place in my Heart, in 2001 My Husband needed a Triple Bypass in Wheeling Hospital Dr Klay performed his CABG on Friday June 1st and He was Home the Following Monday none worse the wear considering if he hadn´t been seen he was Experiencing symptoms of the "Widow Maker" and Thank You For Being so skilled and Knowledgeable. He always worked so hard for All His Patients. To Christian I am so Sorry of Your Parents Passing but I am sure They are watching Over You as They certainly have Angel Status and Your Fathers Talents are what has kept our Bauer Family intact and Many Blessings For this.
Sami Stamm
July 17, 2025
Heartfelt sympathy for Christian and Tia
Healing prayers
Sami
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603 N. Gallatin Ave. Ext., Uniontown, PA 15401
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