Donald James Klatt's Obituary
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Donald James Klatt (Don), our devoted grandfather, father, husband, brother and friend to those who knew him, on January 15, 2024. He passed away peacefully while in hospice care near his home in San Diego, California, from natural causes. He was 79 years old.
Born on January 27, 1944, in West Concord, Minnesota, the oldest of six children, to Donald W. and Lillian Pederson Klatt, of Kenyon, Minnesota. After graduating from Kenyon High School in 1962, Don enlisted in the United States Navy. During this enlistment he served as an electronics technician in the Pacific and was stationed in Hawaii, the Philippines, Long Beach, California and Vallejo, California. While serving in the Philippines, he met Asuncion Rebay (Cora). They married on April 22, 1966 and embarked on a 57-year journey together.
When Don’s enlistment ended in 1970, he and Cora returned to Don’s home state of Minnesota, where they resided from 1970 until Don re-enlisted in the US Navy in July of 1974. Now stationed in San Diego, this is where Don and Cora would raise their family and reside for the remainder of their lives. During this enlistment, Don was assigned to the USS Vancouver and served as an electronics technician training instructor at the Naval Training Center.
After twenty years of military service, Don retired from the U.S. Navy on March 31, 1986. He would continue to work in the field of electronics for another two decades before retiring for good. He enjoyed his hobby as a respected show pigeon fancier for nearly six decades, and was a prominent member of and contributor to the San Diego Metro Pigeon Club, as well as other various specialty breed clubs through the years. He was a lifelong member of the National Pigeon Association and remained a member long after giving up the hobby for health reasons. He also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino and taking in San Diego Padres games to see his favorite player, Tony Gwynn.
Don is survived by his three sons Paul, Michael and Jon, daughters-in law Barbara and Kea, his sisters Darlene and Debbie, brothers Daniel and Doug, and his cherished grandsons Atticus, Emery, and Cadence.
A visitation will be held Saturday, February 10th, 2024 from 10:00-12:00 pm at the Garden Chapel located at Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113. Services will follow immediately after, from 12:00-1:00 pm, at the same location.
Preceded in death by his beloved Cora on June 29, 2023, a committal service with Navy Honors is planned for both at a later date, at Miramar National Cemetery.
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