John Clayton "Jay" McNett, age 82, Yates Center, Kansas, passed away at his residence on August 18, 2018. Jay was born on July 21, 1936, to John Wesley and Mary M. "Madge" Collins McNett. Jay graduated from the Yates Center High School in 1954. He enlisted in the United States Army and served his country from 1955 to 1963. Jay and Roberta Ann Nichols were married April 16, 1955, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. They later divorced. Jay and Janie Spencer were married in 1977. They later divorced. Jay was a member of St. Martin's Catholic Church in Piqua and a Third-Degree Knight in the Piqua Knights of Columbus. Jay loved his work. He did many things and accomplished much in his lifetime. He was a Kansas licensed barber for 51 years. Jay operated heavy construction equipment for 63 years, building terraces, waterways, ponds, and clearing timber. He also worked for Gates Rubber Company in Iola for 19 years, retiring in 1997. Jay was known for his love of coyote hunting, raising dogs and hounds, raising and racing horses and mules, helping others with their animals, and gardening. Jay was known for his vegetable soup and pickle-making. Jay had friends far and wide, never meeting a stranger. He was a true friend who was always there to help and assist. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Margo McNett-Kessler; one brother, Thelbert "Cop" McNett; two sisters, Dolores Miller and Shirley Wood. Jay is survived by his companion, Carolyn McGown, of the home; two sons, John "JD" McNett and companion, Tammie Fee, Yates Center, and Jack "JD" Spencer and fiancé, Shirley, Iola; four daughters, Theresa McNett and companion, Jim Weseloh, Farlington, Mary Glor and husband, Tom, Somerset, Colorado, Mardell Chambers, Yates Center, Kim McNett, Yates Center; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. A rosary will be recited at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 24, 2018, at St. Martin's Oratory, Piqua, Kansas, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 3:30 p.m. Inurnment with military honors will follow in St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery, Piqua. The family requests memorials to Friends For Life, a cancer support group in Yates Center, and may be left at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola, Kansas. Condolences may be left for the family at
www.feuerbornfuneral.com
.