RIP- Eddie Wayne Klatt

January 31, 2020February 13, 2021What's in the WaterLeave a comment

Click Video below to watch a Tribute to Eddie Wayne Klatt

Tribute Video

Eddie Wayne Klatt

JANUARY 4, 1946 – JUNE 5, 2020

Eddie Wayne Klatt died peacefully in Midland, Texas, on June 5, 2020 at the age of 74, surrounded by his loved ones. Eddie was born on January 4th, 1946, to William E. “Bill” and Dorset Thomas Klatt, in Midland. He graduated from Midland High School in 1964, attended Odessa Junior College and North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. Over the years, Eddie made such close friends – even some since elementary school. Anyone who encountered Eddie was a new friend, he could talk to anyone. He began working for the Midland Fire Department in 1972 and retired as the Assistant Fire Chief in 2007. The Fire Department was his second love, every one of the men were his Brothers. Eddie was an active and dedicated member of Main Street Church of Christ, which merged into Downtown Church of Christ. Eddie was a member of the Midland Downtown Lions club since 1976 and served as their President on two separate occasions. He loved to draw and sketch in his earlier years. Eddie was a big prankster with a dry sense of humor. His favorite pastime was watching westerns, especially John Wayne, the History channel, and Fox news.

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Eddie Wayne Klatt (RIP)

January 31, 2020May 15, 2021What's in the WaterLeave a comment

As told by Loving Wife, Cindy Klatt

I came from two wonderful families, poor but hard working. My Grandpa and Grandma Klatt brought my Dad and his two brothers and one sister from Germany to America before World War I. Another boy was born into the family in America. Dad had wanderlust and moved from East Texas into Midland in 1926. He worked for Texas Electric. Then he and his brother put in a blacksmith and welding shop. My Uncle wanted to move to San Antonio, Dad could not keep the business open. He then went to work for the bombardier base, which is now Midland International Airport. During the war, he was a machinist instructor. All his time in Midland, he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. My mother and all of the Thomas family came from Erath County moved to Escota, Texas and then to Midland, Texas in 1927. Mom and Dad met and wed in Midland, Texas. There were three of us born to Mom and Dad. By this time Dad had become a paid firefighter and then Fire Marshall.

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The Story of Four Boys from Midland

January 31, 2020September 6, 2021What's in the Water4 Comments

As told by Charlie Huggins (MHS Class of 1964)

This picture is 1997 at the Governor’s Mansion at our reunion. From left to right are John Barker, Eddie Klatt, Charlie Huggins, and Butch Parks.

Eddie Klatt graduated the same year as me, 1964. We had gone to school together at South Elementary, Cowden Junior High and Midland High School, Odessa College and North Texas State University. I was friends with him until his passing in June of 2020. I used to love calling him to talk about old times. We had a lot of good memories. I remember the first year that we arrived at North Texas University in 1966. Eddie, another classmate of ours, Butch Parks, and I all roomed together in an apartment close to the North Texas campus. The three of us shared the very small apartment with three half beds. There was not very much room there. At the end of the semester, I decided to stay in the same apartment complex but to move to an efficiency apartment by myself. This would allow Butch and Eddie to remain in the first apartment and have more room. We all hung out together and we had some good times. Eddie went to school at North Texas until 1968, and then he moved back to Midland. Eddie joined the fire department shortly thereafter. He remained with the Midland Fire Department for 32 years and his last held position there was Assistant Fire Chief. Eddie’s father had been a Fire Marshal back in the day, and Eddie was familiar with being a fire fighter. My son, Josh, is also a fire fighter and he is a Captain. Eddie and I used to talk about my son and Eddie was glad to know that my son was also a fire fighter. Being a fire fighter was Eddie’s life and he was really well respected. When Eddie died in June, they had a graveside service and they played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. It was very beautiful. Even though his service was during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people came to the service because many people knew him. He had lived in Midland almost all of his life. Eddie was married to Cindy Shoeman. They were married for over 30 years and lived on West Holloway.

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