He was born May 25, 1943 in Rochester, New York to Ralph and June (Busch) Klauss. He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Geology in 1965 and continued onto Idaho State where he received his Master’s degree in Geology in 1969. He worked as a Petroleum Geologist for a number of companies including Cities Service Company, Vice President of Exploration at Tom Brown, Inc., CMS Drilling and Henry Petroleum, where he was a pioneer in the Permian Basin Wolfcamp Play. He later worked as a geological consultant for himself, Berry Petroleum and Linn Energy. He was registered as a professional geologist in three states and was a longtime member of the West Texas Geological Society, SIPES, AAPG, and GSA.
Tom had an avid interest in cars and motorcycles. He was involved with the Corvette and motorcycle clubs in Midland, and was one of the founding members of the West Texas Cruisers Car Club. He truly loved spending time with his son working on cars and drag racing. He also enjoyed spending afternoons at his shop/home barbecuing and hanging out with his close friends.
He is survived by his son, Adam Klauss, his wife Laura and their three children- David, Isaac, and Richard-all of Midland, TX; sister, Patty Smith and her husband, Jay, of Bloomfield, NY; their children, Jeffrey Smith of Canandaigua, NY and Sandra Heacock of East Bloomfield, NY; sister-in-law, Linda and her husband Terry Panych of Rochester, NY; cousins, Jimmy Busch and his wife Sarah of Savoy, Texas; Kathy Busch-Brown of Webster, NY and Genie Furber-Ellsworth of Ontario, NY. Tom is also survived by his fiancé, Renee Evans of Webster, NY and her daughter Stacie and husband Michael Honeygham of Philadelphia, PA.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and June Klauss and his wife of 46 years, Laura Taft Klauss.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel.
The family has designated the American Cancer Society for memorial contributions.
Online condolences may be made at www.ellisfunerals.com
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