Thomas "Tom" James Clarke II

On Wednesday, 15 August 2018, beloved father and husband, Thomas “Tom” James Clarke II, passed away from natural causes in Roswell, New Mexico. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, 23 August 2018, at the New Mexico Military Institute Chapel, beginning at 2:00 PM. Chapel Service will be followed by a Graveside Service at the General Douglas L. McBride Veterans Cemetery in Roswell, New Mexico. Celebrate Tom’s life by visiting www.andersonbethany.com to offer a memory or expression of sympathy for his family. Tom was born 22 July 1944, the son of Thomas and Betty Clarke, in Miami Beach, Florida. Growing up in Florida, Tom attended the North Miami Beach High School and was a member of the local Civil Air Patrol (C.A.P.) Cadet Squadron. After graduating high school, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served both stateside and overseas, with honor and distinction. In 1965, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Judy Turner. A few years later, and now honorably discharged from the military, Tom and Judy moved from Florida to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he worked as a mechanic for Pan American Airlines, and then Alaska Airlines. While living in Fairbanks, Tom again became involved with the local C.A.P. Squadron as a senior member. With the C.A.P., he volunteered countless hours in their search and rescue operations, both on the ground and as an airborne observer/spotter. Tom was also heavily engaged with the cadet program, where he helped mentor and instill values, skills, and the courage to succeed to young men and women as they came through the program. After a thirty-year career as a commercial airline mechanic, Tom and his wife Judy moved from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Roswell, New Mexico. In Roswell, he again worked with the local C.A.P. Squadron, volunteering his time as a leader within the cadet program, search and rescue operations, and ultimately rising to the rank of squadron commander. Tom worked with cadets from Roswell, as well as from the New Mexico Military Institute, allowing them to foster a love of flight through the C.A.P. aviation programs. Surviving to cherish Tom’s memory are is his wife of fifty-two years, Judy; sons: Thomas Clarke III and wife Michele, William Clarke; daughter, Karen Rutka and husband, Ken; and grandson, John. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Roswell Civil Air Patrol Squadron. Tom’s tribute was lovingly written in his honor by his family.

Thomas "Tom" James Clarke II

July 22, 1944 - August 15, 2018