SFC (Ret) Tom A. Clouse

Funeral service for SFC (Retired) Tom A. Clouse, 66 of Apache, Oklahoma will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2019 at Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain (CPT) Richard Melvin officiating. 

Mr. Clouse passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2019 in Lawton.

Burial with full military honors will be at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.

There will be a special viewing and visitation for family and friends on Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Tom was born on September 3, 1953 in Sturgis, Michigan to Joseph Clouse and Glema (Blanchard) Clouse-Saltzman. He grew up in Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1972. He then worked construction for awhile. Tom married Miss Paula Maher on June 30, 1973 in Mendon, Michigan and they lived in Michigan before moving to Lawton, Oklahoma looking for a better life. In August of 1975, Tom began his career with the United States Army at Fort Sill and for the next 20 years, 5 months, and 9 days he served three tours in Germany, one tour in Korea, Fort Lewis, Washington, Fort Bliss, Texas, and was in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Desert Storm,  returning to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for his final assignment before retiring in January of 1996. While serving his country proudly, he received many awards and medals including Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal, (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal SA, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Star/ Noncommissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon,  Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, St. Barbara's Medal, and Calvary Spurs. Tom was a lifetime member of the VFW in Lawton.    

He then worked for at AAFES on Fort Sill while attending Great Plains Vo-Tech where he received his certification as an IT Tech, which then took him to Fort Sill National Bank where he stayed for 15 years before retiring in September of 2015. Tom and Paula are members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. They traveled and camped at many locations including Canada and major National Parks throughout the United States. They are also members of the Lawton Crafts, Arts, and Hobby Association.

He is survived by his loving wife, of 46 years, Paula, of the home. His daughters and son in law, Aimee Howard, and Jennifer and Wesley Smith, all of Lawton, OK. Grandchildren, Joseph Howard, Kristopher Smith and wife, Shirley, Alexandra Smith, and Katelynn Clouse. One great grandson, Theodore Smith. Three bothers and sisters in law, Jerry and Barb Clouse, Allen and Michelle Clouse, and George and Barb Clouse, all of Sturgis, MI. Four sisters and brothers in law, Alice and Ken Mullins, Mary and Steve Holt, and Kathrine and Dennis Matthis, all of Sturgis, MI and Patricia and Edward Stark, of Santa Ana, CA. His mother in law, Patricia Maher, of Three Rivers, MI. His uncle, Richard Blanchard, of CA. Numerous brothers in law and sisters in law. And his large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

He was preceded in death by his parents. His step father, Carl Saltzman. And two brothers, Michael Clouse and William Clouse.     

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at 3401 NW 63rd Street, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116 or to the Disabled American Veterans at 4704 NW Motif Manor Blvd, Suite 5, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505.             

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