John Wakefield Hyatt

[Guest Nicole]

COLUMBUS — John Wakefield Hyatt, 83, of Columbus passed away Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

John was born Sept. 24, 1934, to George Sherman and Maude Lee (Conley) Hyatt in rural Parsons. He graduated from Pittsburg State TeacherÂ’s College with a degree in engineering, and went on to work for Phillips Petroleum.

On Aug. 28, 1959, he married Yvonne Klager, the love of his life, in Oswego. They were blessed with 57 years of marriage. She survives of the home.

He was a master carpenter from the early 1960s-1974 and built the family’s home in Pittsburg along with several other large carpentry and building projects during his life. He designed and built The Adventure Line Campers for Montgomery Wards. There were various inventions that John designed and created as well, with practical uses for his trade. Starting in 1974 and ending 22 years later John owned and operated Hyatt Auto Supply, delivering auto parts to auto repair shops. Some years after retirement, John was looking for an activity to consume some of his spare time, and after attending classes, received his certification with Kansas Department of Transportation inspecting road and bridge construction, working alongside his daughter, Andrea. 

Among his interests and hobbies were fishing, music, gardening, mechanical and carpentry projects and golf in his younger days. His wife fondly describes him as a brilliant man who raised brilliantly gifted children. Mr. Hyatt faithfully and lovingly served more than 60 years as minister and elder in the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

Also surviving are three children, a son, Jared Wakefield Hyatt (wife, Melody) of Holiday Island, Arkansas, and two daughters, Cheryl Renee (husband, Jon) of Joplin and Andrea VeLynn Bradford of Fairbanks, Alaska; three grandchildren, Tiffany Spring Prete (husband, Zachary), Brian Dale Robison and Morgan Nicole Robison; two great-grandchildren, Scarlet and Elliot; a brother, George “Sherman” Hyatt of Coffeyville; and a sister, Maude Thelma Douglas of Corpus Christie, Texas.

He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Andrew Hyatt; and several brothers and sisters. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Derfelt Funeral Home in Columbus. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons with minister Lowell Daniels officiating.

By request of the family a small donation may be made to help cover funeral expenses via PayPal, https://paypal.me/rememberjohn; or by entering johnyvonnehyatt@gmail.com, in paypal.com.

Online condolences may be left at derfeltfuneralhomes.com.

http://www.parsonssun.com/obituaries/article_566f946e-e1cb-11e7-b65d-6b0bab34e3fc.html