Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Fred Klaas Jr.; brother, Frederick Klaas III; and son, Frederick Klaas IV.
He is survived by his mother, Claudette Pee Klaas; wife, Trena Gay Klaas; children, Emily Klaas (Tony) Lauro, Jonathan Tyler (Olivia) Klaas, Amy Klaas (Lane) McClendon; grandchildren, Anthony James Lauro, and Collins Rae Klaas; sisters, Debbie Sue (Bud) Walters, and Donna Marie (Allen) Farnham; and numerous nephews and extended family.
Jimmy graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1977. As a young teen, Jimmy took great pride in training and showing quarter horses. Jimmy had a weak spot for the stray dogs that wandered down West County Line Rd., and he took in more than he could possibly take care of. Upon graduating from St. Joe, he attended Hinds Community College where he received his welding certification.
After completing his education, Jimmy worked on the family farm, K Bar K, raising and selling cattle, tending horse stables, and selling hay. In 1986, Jimmy accepted a position as a team lead at G & O Manufacturing Company where he worked on the production line. He was also a proud founding partner of Klaas Pavement Maintenance Co., a successful business still in operation to this day. Jimmy was a kind-hearted individual who was well known around town, and always helped anyone in need. He was known to be mischievous, and he loved to irritate the “crap” out of people. He took great joy in keeping his dearest friends aggravated to no end. Jimmy had a large personality; his dance moves were some of legend, at least in his mind. He was known as a look-a-like to Kevin Costner, and he would never admit how much he loved the John Dutton references people made about him.
At his core, Jimmy was a farmer; a hard-working, tough man. He loved spending his days on the farm, riding his grandchildren around on the tractors and 4-wheelers, and watching them fish in the pond. He loved the get togethers at the farm club house, sipping a cold beverage and listening to the many stories and tall tales that were told, and of course getting under anyone’s skin that he could. Jimmy was a one-of-a-kind man, and he will be deeply missed by his loving family and many, many friends.
