David Lee Catlin – a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend – passed away on January 6, 2022, at his home in Hazelton, Kansas, at the age of 79.

Born on August 24, 1942, in Hardtner, Kansas, David grew up in rural Harper County before moving to the Corwin/Hazelton area. After graduating from Hazelton High School in 1960, David started his own custom harvesting business in 1961 and traveled from Texas to North Dakota cutting wheat and milo.

On February 26, 1966, David married Barbara Jefferis in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and the couple moved to Hazelton soon after. They enjoyed their trips to Mt. Rushmore and Wall Drug in South Dakota while traveling with their custom harvesting business. Always known to be an ambitious and hard worker, David owned and ran several businesses throughout his life. He ran a scrap iron business in the off-season of harvesting, and he and Barb were postal service contractors for more than 47 years. In 2017, David retired from his sand and gravel business.

He loved three things: KU basketball, Chiefs football, and his family – in no particular order, of course. Although, his family was always reminded not to call when the Jayhawks and Chiefs were playing. He was also an avid collector of pitcher pumps, owning hundreds of different styles ranging from small figurines to large authentic pumps.

There was no doubt his grandchildren were very important to him. He and Barb followed their grandchildren’s school activities from kindergarten through their senior years, never missing a single basketball game, school program or piano recital. Soon after that, David got to experience the joy of something even better: his great-grandchildren.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Ruby Catlin; brothers Leonard and Eddie Catlin; grandson Jacob Wesley Smith; and numerous in-laws.

He is survived in death by his wife, Barbara; children Todd Catlin and Jana (James Dewitt) Smith; brother Lloyd Catlin, sister Patsy (Bill) Whitehead, sister-in-law Carolyn Catlin Robertson; granddaughters Nicole (Cody) Briggs, Morgan (Aaron) McDonald, and Samantha (Justin) Siler; great-grandchildren Kael, Olivia and Kynlee; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Monday, January 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Kiowa, Kansas. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the David Catlin Love Fund at Lanman Funeral Home.

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