Clement Thomas - Age 70 - Los Alamos Switlik, Jr.

Switlik, Clement Thomas, Jr. (Tom), 70, was born October 19, 1941 in Parsons, KS to Clement Thomas, Sr. and Margaret (Currigan) Switlik and died February 9, 2012 in Los Alamos, NM where he resided. Tom was enjoying his retirement from his duties as an Aerospace System Safety Engineer with the U.S. Department of Defense. He was the sixth child of twelve and the first of seven boys. Thomas attended St. Patrick’s in Parsons and graduated from High School in 1959. After graduation, Tom joined the Navy as a medic with a specialty in surgery. He spent the majority of his tour in Japan at the Yokosuka Naval Medical Center. After his honorable discharge, Tom moved to Lawrence, KS where he attended Kansas University and completed the requirements for a Zoology degree. After college, Tom worked on various programs for several Departments of the U.S. DoD including the Navy, Army and Air Force. His duty stations were principally in CA, however he spent some time at remote locations, such as Johnston Island, Pacific Ocean. During his career, Tom continued to further his studies in graduate programs, obtaining his Masters and working on a PhD, related to Systems Engineering and Public Administration. Tom was an avid fan of the Jayhawks. Tom was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by three daughters, Sherrie Elijah-Bacon of Lincoln, NE, Jennifer Peterson of Seattle, WA and Crystey Switlik of Peoria Heights, IL and a granddaughter, Colleen Peterson. Other survivors include sisters: Sister Mary Margaret, Sister Elizabeth Ann, and Sister Catherine Agnes Switlik, all of Wichita, KS, Theresa L. Yoder of Denver, CO, and Cecilia J. Elliott of Sand Springs, OK; brothers: John M. of Wichita, KS, Jim J. of Nevada, MO, Paul A. of Mabelvale, AR, Mark F. of Sparks, NV, Edd E. of Ft. Myers, FL, and Lou S. of Kentwood, MI; several nieces and nephews. Tom will be buried at Ft. Scott National Cemetery. Services will be Friday, February 24th at 2:30 pm. For directions: http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftscott.asp Tributes may be addressed to: DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 http://www.dav.org/donate. Or, please consider contributing to the American Heart Association. The family of Clement Thomas Switlik, Jr. has entrusted the care of their beloved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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