Joseph Stanley “JK” Klimczak, 89, passed away at St. James Place in Baton Rouge on Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born in New York Mills, N.Y. on May 26, 1925, to the late Stephanie Bryla Klimczak and Joseph Klimczak. On July 9, 1955, he married Wanda Janet Boyles in Bogalusa. He graduated from St. Mary High School in New York Mills and received his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, where he attended as part of the V-12 Navy College training program during WWII. At Colgate, he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. While supervising a project at the Bogalusa Paper Mill, he met his future wife and relocated to Bogalusa, later opening and continuously operating J.K. Hardware & Supply Co., from 1955 until October 1994. While in Bogalusa, he was an active member of the Annunciation Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, and Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid Bogalusa Lumberjack fan and supporter, golfer, race horse owner and Charter member of the Krewe of MCCA.

He is survived by his four children: Dawn Klimczak Knight and husband Wayne Johnson Knight of Baton Rouge, Dr. Joseph Craig Klimczak and wife Dr. Aimee Kleinpeter Klimczak of St. Louis, Richard Steven Klimczak and wife Renee Farace Klimczak of Houston and Elizabeth Klimczak Harris and husband Kevin Lawrence Harris of Baton Rouge; nine grandchildren: Stephen Collins Knight of Los Angeles, Emily Knight Hammatt and husband Benjamin Scott Hammatt of Alexandria, La., Natalie Margaret Knight of Baton Rouge, Stephanie Cecile Klimczak of St. Louis, Richard Steven Klimczak Jr. of Dallas, Madison Caroline Klimczak of Houston, Ann Elizabeth Harris of Washington, D.C., Victoria Francis Harris of Nashville, Tenn., and Madeline Margaret Harris of Baton Rouge; and two great grandchildren, Brady Scott Hammatt and Collin Patrick Hammatt of Alexandria.

Mr. Klimczak was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Wanda Janet Boyles Klimczak, and brother, Stanley Chester Klimczak.

Visiting hours were observed at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Ave., on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, from 10 a.m. until funeral service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge. Friends and family may sign the online memorial, leave a personal note to the family, or order flowers at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.