Burleson – After a courageous battle with cancer, Gay Hicks Kloster died peacefully on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at the age of 71. Celebration of life: 11 a.m. Friday, June 24, in Guadalajara Hall at Jellystone RV Park in Burleson. Gay requested to be cremated and her ashes will be interred next to her parents in Hylton Cemetery in Nolan County. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Texas Coalition for Animal Protection. Condolences for the family may be offered at Lone Star Cremation. Gay was born to parents Valton and Pauline Hicks on Jan. 27, 1945, in Hillsboro. She grew up in a loving family with her brother, Joe V., and attended Dublin High School. Gay married high school sweetheart, Bill Kloster, in 1960. They lived in Austin and Detroit, Mich., before settling in Fort Worth to raise their family. Mom was a domestic goddess who managed and maintained an immaculate home with a meticulous yard and landscape. After her children graduated high school, Gay entered the workforce and became executive assistant to the president of Tandycrafts Corporation. She spent the last 15 years of her life managing the kitchen and restaurant at North Texas Jellystone Park in Burleson. Gay was an avid gardener with the greenest of green thumbs. When she wasn’t busy maintaining her beautiful landscapes she was caring for her beloved pets, which most recently consisted of three cats and five raccoons. Mom was an iron-willed warrior. She was always dedicated and committed to whatever she undertook. Despite her illnesses, she remained engaged with friends, family, and work throughout her final months. She was a selfless, compassionate, and loving human being who will be missed by all. She was preceded in death by her parents. “Granny Gay” as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren, will be missed by many other relatives and friends, not to mention, the multitude of pets she cared for. Survivors: Gay is survived by her brother and his wife, Joe V. and Glenda Hicks; her sons, Jeff and Mark Kloster; five grandchildren; former spouse and father of her children, Bill Kloster.
