Jaret Lee Moyer

Jaret Lee Moyer, Emporia, Kansas, passed away September 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, following an acute leukemia diagnosis. He was 55 years old.

Jaret was born in Norton, Kansas, on September 17, 1969, the son of Charles Irvin "Cy" and Charlotte Lee (Lybarger) Moyer. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church. Growing up in Phillipsburg, Kansas, he enjoyed working on the farm with his dad, raising pigs, showing cattle, and participating in 4-H and FFA activities. In high school, he wrestled, played football and liked to work on cars with his friends.

After graduating from Phillipsburg High School in 1988, he attended Kansas State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences and Industry in 1992. At college, he met his wife Shawna Maechtlen within his first few weeks of classes. Jaret joined Beta Theta Pi fraternity, was a member of the Meats Judging Team, and presided over the Block and Bridle Club. Between his freshman and sophomore years, he participated in an FFA work study program in Australia. He was a lifelong fan of the Wildcats.

He married Shawna in Arkansas City, Kansas, on December 28, 1991. In 1992, they moved to Phillipsburg, and Jaret began his career in the banking industry at First National Bank and Trust. His favorite part of ag lending was getting to know his customers beyond their balance sheet, learning about them and the stories of their farms. During this time, Jaret completed the Graduate School of Banking program in Madison, Wisconsin.

In July 1994, Jaret and Shawna welcomed Arissa Katherine, and he and Shawna expanded their family again in November 1996 with Sarah Ann. As a young father, he stayed active in his community through Lions Club, the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program, and as a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church. In these ways and others, he embraced small-town life.

In 2003, he and his family moved to Lyon County to start a cattle backgrounding yard with Shawna. Despite the volatile markets, hard days and long hours involved with his occupation, when asked "How are you?" Jaret would consistently respond, "I can't complain." He became involved with the Flint Hills Beef Fest, Kansas Livestock Association, and Kansas Beef Council, including serving as president of each group. He also served on the Finance and Audit Committee for the Federation of State Beef Councils and with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Through industry organizations, he traveled to Cuba, China, Japan, and Hawaii and was a past participant of the Young Cattlemen's Conference.

Jaret returned to banking for a period of time, serving the local communities around Woodbine, Bremen, Gypsum, and Reading, Kansas with The Citizens State Bank and Trust. He served as president of the Community Bankers Association in 2014-2015. Eventually, he decided to shift his full focus back to the cattle business.

Becoming a grandfather in 2019 was a thrilling moment for Jaret. He enjoyed spending quality time with his three granddaughters, while reading his favorite childhood books to them and watching them ride his childhood John Deere pedal tractor.

There was a common theme throughout Jaret's life: The people he met were the highest priority. He didn't know a stranger and spent time not only cultivating those relationships, but also devoting time to preserving rural communities and agriculture. Jaret served in local leadership roles as a member of the Americus United Methodist Church, a member of the Americus Masonic Lodge #109, and on the Lyon County Rural Water District No. 5 board. He was a people person and a natural conversationalist. He called his cattle customers every Saturday morning (except for the mornings of his daughters' weddings). Jaret was loved for his fairness, humility, and honesty.

Survivors include his wife Shawna; daughters Arissa (Garrett) Kennedy, Phillipsburg, Kansas; Sarah (Branson) Kocher, Platte City, Missouri; brothers Bryant (Lanny) Moyer, Topeka, Kansas; Clinton (Lisa) Moyer, Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren Anna Charlotte Kennedy, Lauren Ameila Kennedy, Avery Jean Kennedy; stepmother Gladys Moyer, Phillipsburg, Kansas; father-in-law and mother-in-law Rodger and Melba Maechtlen, Arkansas City, Kansas; sister-in-law Sharilyn (Jeff) Newtson, Helix, Oregon; and stepsister Jeanette (Bill) Prochazka, Phillipsburg, Kansas. He is also survived by nephews, nieces, Aunt Ruth Anna "Nanna" Gerald, Uncle Wayne Lybarger, and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Flint Hills Beef Fest, Kansas FFA Foundation, and Phillips County Christmas is Sharing sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas, 66801. There is also an online memorial option for the Kansas FFA Foundation at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/moyerffamemorial.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 823 Merchant Street, Emporia, Kansas, and officiated by Gene Huston. Contact a family member for the link to the service's livestream. The family will receive friends the evening before at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State St, Emporia, Kansas, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Interment and Masonic rites will occur at Rosean Cemetery following the service.