Klai, John, II, 1952-2023

John Reynolds Klai II was born and raised in Osnabrock, North Dakota. After spending a few years as an accounting major at the University of North Dakota’s College of Business in Grand Forks, an engineering class inspired him to pursue a career in architecture. He returned to Osnabrock, where he worked for his father’s construction company and saved to attend the architecture program at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies in 1977 and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1978. John moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978 to join Marnell Corrao Associates. His first job involved the fantasy suites tower expansion to Caesars Palace. In 1995, he partnered with fellow NDSU graduate Dan Juba and founded Klai Juba Architects, now Klai Juba Wald architecture + interiors. Over his 40-year career, Klai led projects including Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the Forum Shops at Caesars, MGM Grand, Luxor, the ‘Vegas High Roller’ Observation Wheel, UNLV’s Thomas & Mack modernization, and the “Guitar Hotel”—the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, as well as entertainment and hospitality projects across the country. Before his retirement in 2021, he was a Registered Architect in 25 states.

John and his husband, Jon Sparer, met in Las Vegas in 1981 when John hired Jon to work in the Marnell office. They married in 2014 in San Diego, California, but made Las Vegas their home. They were avid travelers internationally and, more recently, across North America in their motor coach. Klai devoted his time and resources to ongoing support to the architecture programs at both NDSU and UNLV. His greatest joy was serving as volunteer adjunct faculty for UNLV’s Hospitality Design graduate program and regular trips to Fargo to teach students at NDSU. He also served on the NDSU Foundation and received the NDSU Alumni Achievement Award in 2006.

Klai was also dedicated to his local community, with extensive volunteerism and philanthropy for organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs Las Vegas, the Discovery Children’s Museum, Nevada Public Radio, the Neon Museum, the Art Museum @ Symphony Park, The Center (the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada), the Las Vegas Animal Foundation, Communities in Schools, Family Promise, The Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, Super Summer Theatre, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Three Square community food bank, Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School, Nevada School for the Arts, The Smith Center Performing Arts Center, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Las Vegas Philharmonic, and UNLV’s Council of Excellence, in addition to scholarships at both UNLV and NDSU.

His service to the architectural profession was extensive, including leadership positions on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB); the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design (NSBAIDRD); the Western Conference of Architectural Registration Boards; and AIA Nevada and AIA Las Vegas. He became a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2015 for his service to society. He also received the AIA Western Mountain Region Silver Medal, AIA Nevada’s Silver Award, AIA Las Vegas President’s Award, AIA Nevada Patron Award, and the North Dakota AIA Award.

John Klai II, FAIA, passed away on September 2, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Source:

"John Klai," Askew Funeral and Cremation Services. https://www.askewfuneralhome.com/obituaries/john-klai