James R. Hiatt

James "Kelly" Hiatt, age 92, of Garnett, Kansas passed away Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Anderson County Hospital, Garnett. Kelly was the ninth of thirteen children born to Charles and Pearl (McKenzie) Hiatt. He was born on December 31, 1923 at Lebanon, South Dakota. He grew up in the Lebanon, South Dakota area until his family moved to Lewisburg, Minnesota when he was 13 years old. Kelly graduated from high school at Lewisburg, Minnesota in 1944. Following high school, he entered the US Army. Kelly was a veteran of World War II, serving in Korea following the war. After serving in the Army Kelly returned to his family's farm in Minnesota. He moved to Lawrence, Kansas to work in a canning factory. While in Lawrence he played on a semi-pro baseball team. Kelly then began working as a pumper in oil fields in Kansas, eventually moving to Garnett, and working in the oil fields near Bush City. He eventually took a job with the City of Garnett as an electrical lineman. He worked for the city for over 23 years, retiring in 1981, due to health issues related to the train derailment that destroyed their home and injured him and his family. Kelly met Jeanette Lankard, and they were married on September 11, 1964, in Miami, Oklahoma. This union was blessed with one daughter, Coleen Kelly Hiatt. They made their home in Garnett. Kelly enjoyed traveling, fishing and dancing, all with Jeanette. He was a devoted gardener and took a great deal of pride in his garden and flowers. They also spent several years gathering and selling snakeroot. Kelly was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Ralph, Floyd, Ross, Reynold, Howard, and Delbert; and six sisters, Evelyn, Thelma, Hazel, Bernadine, Delores, and Darlene. He is survived by his wife Jeanette of the home; daughter, Coleen Medina and husband, Mike, of Osawatomie, Kansas; two grandchildren, Kelccey Manchester and husband, Dylan, of Paola, Kansas and Kody Medina of Overland, Park, Kansas; brother-in-law, Jim Lankard and wife, Margaret, of Garnett; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Garnett. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .