Tom Clements

Thomas A. Clements Jr., age 83, of Crawford, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Fort Meade Hospice in Sturgis, South Dakota. He passed away peacefully with his three daughters by his side. Tom was born October 7, 1931 in Marsland, Nebraska to Tom Sr. and Nancy (Hat) Clements. He was the fourth of eight children. His childhood years were spent in northwest Nebraska and South Dakota. He graduated from Crawford High School and attended one year of college at Chadron State College before joining the Army in 1953. He was sent to Japan and then Korea, as part of a transportation battalion. His duties included dispatching and teletyping. Due to past civilian railroad experience, Tom was assigned to work as personal assistant to Major Gavin. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal as well as One Overseas Bar. Discharged in 1955, Tom returned to Chadron, Nebraska to finish his teaching degree. He married Anita Cummings in 1959 and his first daughter Michele was born in 1960. He graduated in May 1959, and took his first teaching job in Lewellen in the fall of 1960. Tom taught Social Studies, History, PE and coached while there. Their second daughter, Kathleen was born in Oshkosh in 1961. The family then moved to Arnold in 1964 when Tom accepted a high school teaching position. His last daughter, Doris (Beanie) was born shortly after they moved there. Tom remained in Arnold until 1982 and shared many fond memories of the time he spent there. While in Arnold, Tom enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping, fishing, town team basketball, and baseball. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and Rotary Club. Many lifelong friendships were developed at this time. Tom moved back to northwest Nebraska to be closer to his mother and started substitute teaching with the Pine Ridge South Dakota school district. He then accepted a position as a Program Director with the Head Start Program. Tom enjoyed working with the young children and also helped to establish policies & train teachers. He retired from Headstart and moved back to his hometown of Crawford and managed the Ponderosa Settlement elderly housing units. When his health began to fail, he moved into assisted living and then nursing care at the South Dakota Veterans Home in Hot Springs, South Dakota. He leaves to mourn his daughters, Michele, Kathleen, and Doris (Jeff Hartman); Five grandchildren, Trev Clements, Ryan Clements (Kristen Horst, fianc�½), Tyler and Jessica Holcomb and Owen Hartman. He is also survived by three brothers, George, Jim, and Pat and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Tom Sr. and Nancy; Sisters, Mary Margaret, Frances and Rosemary, brother Hodge and nephews Clifford and Pat Jr. A memorial has been established for the Crawford Eagles Club, the Crawford City Cemetery, or to the family to be designated later. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337. Clink on link below to watch the tribute video for Tom.

Service:

Tuesday, February 3, 2015 ~ 2:00 PM

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church ~ Crawford, NE