Clarence Everett Tjossem

Clarence Everett Tjossem, 87, beloved husband, father, brother, and faithful Christian patriot, met his Savior Jesus Christ January 25, 2017. Clarence lived a life of service to his country, family, church and community.

He was born October 31, 1929 to Everett and Wanda Joyce Tjossem in Primghar, Iowa. During his youth, Clarence loved farming and spent time on his grandparent's Iowa farm. He was always a farmer at heart. He graduated from Le Grand High School.

Clarence and Marlys Lubbert were married October 19, 1952 in Paullina Iowa. They moved to Decorah, Iowa where Clarence worked for a trucking company. They later moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he worked for Firestone.

Clarence enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa. His assignments following Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, included Goose Bay, Labrador, Bergstrom AFB -TX, Barksdale AFB -LA, Kindley AFB - Bermuda, Dover AFB - DE, a combat tour in Vietnam then back to Bergstrom AFB where he retired with an honorable discharge in1977 after serving 23 years. He and Marlys built a home in nearby Creedmoor where they lived for the past 40 years. Throughout their years in the service, single airmen they met at the base chapel were always welcome in their home and were considered part of the family.

After retirement he worked at Sears before returning to work at Bergstrom AFB in Civil Engineering. After base closure, he worked at the Commissary at Randolph AFB, near San Antonio.

Clarence and his family nurtured 17 foster children over a period of 5 years. The babies brought great joy to their lives as they awaited adoption or reunion with their family. Clarence served on the Creedmoor City Council for 34 years, helped as a volunteer usher at the Frank Erwin Center during UIL basketball tournaments for 10 years and worked as a volunteer on the Austin Steam Train for 17 years. He met with and continued to support his fellow veterans dealing with PTSD at The Austin Vet Center.

He loved his polka music and was active in square dancing for 38 years. Clarence was a lifetime member of the Admiral Chester Nimitz Museum and attended symposiums on a regular basis.

As a member of Great Hills Baptist Church he greeted members and visitors at his post for many years. The line entering his door was usually long, as Clarence loved to visit and give and receive many hugs.

The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and staff at St David's Hospital South Austin and the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice for their loving care.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Wanda Joyce Tjossem.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Marlys; daughters Karen Tjossem of Austin and Shari Torres and her husband Edward, of College Station, TX; two grandchildren, Daniel Torres of Hermosa Beach, CA, and Michael and his wife Amanda, of Austin, TX; his brother, Gary Tjossem and his wife Marilyn of Houston, TX, his sister Melody Davis of Tama, Iowa.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, January 29, 2017 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, TX. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2017 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home chapel, the Rev. Ross Hartsfield and Rev. John Bailey as officiants. Interment will follow at the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Austin Steam Train or Admiral Nimitz Museum.

To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit our website at www.CookWaldenCapitalParks.com