~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, NWA Capt.Thomas D. Klemens
November 26, 1934 ~ April 25, 2019
Notification with the passing of retired Northwest pilot Capt.
Thomas Donald Klemens, age 84. Captain Klemens joined Northwest Airlines
10-31-1958. He is survived by his companion Tonia Clark plus his children and
grandchildren.
To view obituary information online please visit
Plans for a memorial service are pending as
noted below.
Should more news be received we will be sure to pass it
along.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary...............
Bothell - Thomas D. Klemens, age 84, died on Thursday, April
25, 2019 at Royal Anne Senior Care Home in Bothell, WA. Thomas was born on
November 26, 1934 in Great Falls, MT. He spent all of his youth living there
until he left for college to study Aeronautical Engineering at the University of
Colorado. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Cadet, in the
Pilot Training Program for the Montana Air National Guard, where he was
commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. His love of flying led him to a 35 year career as a
pilot for Northwest Airlines. He was a longtime Captain, first on the McDonnell
Douglas DC-10, and later on the Boeing 747. Tom was admired by his aviation
peers for his expertise and dedication to the profession. He was remarkable in
his studies and received a degree in Economics at the University of Washington,
and a Law degree from LSEU. He passed the California Bar Exam and practiced law
in Palm Springs. Foremost an explorer and always an adventure seeker; he was
self-taught in many of his endeavors. He climbed to the summit of Mt. Rainier,
competed in downhill ski races, and was a member of the Rocky Mountain National
Ski Patrol. Tom was an avid hiker, competitive tennis player, and an expert
sailor. He enjoyed sailing his beloved Seraphim and flying his Aero Commander.
He mastered piano at a young age, and in later years learned to play the
bagpipes. He enjoyed traveling and learning foreign languages.
Thomas is survived by his companion of 33 years, Tonia Clark
of Edmonds, WA; and his four children, Danette (Patrick Looney) Klemens of
Marysville, WA; Karyn (Mark) Sokolowski of Sanford, FL; Michelle (Patrick)
Davich, Kansas City, MO; and Joe (Penny) Klemens of Waynesboro, VA; and four
grandchildren, Matthew Sokolowski, Alison Sokolowski, Emily Davich, and Lukas
Davich. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and June Klemens of
Great Falls, MT. A memorial service will be held at a future date. The Klemens
family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Royal Anne for
caring so tenderly for their father and grandfather in the final days of his
journey. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Thomas's name to the
Alzheimer's Association.
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