Thomas "Tom" Richard Claman Jr., an avid chess player, former Boy Scout and adult Scout leader, harmonica player, respected data analyst, and beloved member of the Manhattan Kansas community, passed away on February 18 2024, at the age of 66. Born January 11th, 1958 in Roswell New Mexico to Kathryn "Kay" Fritz Claman and Thomas "Dick" Richard Claman Senior, Tom was the oldest of nine siblings.
Tom's parents moved often in his youngest years because his Father was a Staff Sargent in the Air Force. By the time Tom was eleven his family moved from Roswell to South Sioux City NE, to Big Springs TX, to Sioux Saint Marie MI, and then back to the Sioux City Iowa area. As Tom entered fifth grade, the family settled in Colorado Springs while his Father finished twenty years in the Air Force stationed at NORAD. His Mother also worked in Civil Service for the Airforce for her 30 plus career. As an adult, Tom lived in several states including Colorado, Illinois, Texas, and Arizona before moving to Salina Kansas in 1997.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and youngest sister Diane Rivera. He is survived by two former wives, Denise Mallin Wilcox and Trish Steele Hackett, two step-children, Russell and Phillip Steele, and siblings: John (Salina), Teresa (Peyton CO), Norma Lewis (San Diego), Roger (Colo. Sprgs.), Joan (Peyton CO), Nancy (San Diego), and Angela (Peyton CO). He is also an uncle to fourteen nieces and nephews.
Tom graduated from Palmer High School in 1976 and The University of Colorado in 1980, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Professionally, Tom was a highly skilled database creator and analyst. For the last 17 years he worked in the marketing department for Champion Teamwear (formerly GTM) in Manhattan Kansas. Previous to GTM, he worked at Foot Locker in Junction City, and concurrently as an adjunct Instructor at K-State, Salina. Also, at MarketAide.
Tom loved playing and mentoring others in chess. He was the vice-president of the Kansas Chess Association, last year's Kansas amateur open winner, a long-time host of the Chess Booth at the yearly Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs KS, a member of the Manhattan Chess Club, and past member of the Salina and Lindsborg Chess Clubs. One of Tom's proudest chess moments was when he was involved in hosting Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to Kansas and the Lindsborg Chess Club for two days in October 2005.
Tom's other interests included many years as a Boy Scout Leader in Salina including Wood Badge recipient and mentoring his step children in all their Boy Scout activities, membership in Colorado, Salina, and Manhattan Optimist Clubs, occasionally playing his harmonicas at open mic or with local bands, and a sixty-year love of science fiction. He was especially fond of all things "Star Trek" from the time of the very first episode in September 1966. Last spring, he greatly enjoyed a multi-day Star Trek Cruise, and he was greatly looking forward to his second Star Trek Cruise this February.
Tom left an indelible mark on his family, friends, and community that will be felt for many years to come.
A memorial service to honor the life and legacy of Tom Claman will be held on March 23rd, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family would like to recommend interested parties donate in his honor to the Manhattan Chess Association or the Kansas Chess Association via their online website donation pages.