Thomas "Tom" Franklin Clawson was born on March 15, 1930, to Frank and Gertrude Clawson in Sioux City, Iowa. Tom was the second child and first son born to the family. He was baptized as an infant. As a child, Tom and his younger brother Chuck were inseparable due to their close age. They enjoyed endless days of playing army and building foxholes in the backyard. Later in childhood, he was confirmed at College Hill Lutheran Chapel in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1948. After graduation, he attended a year of college at Iowa State Teachers' College studying Forestry. That summer of 1949, he hitchhiked from Iowa out west to Montana/Idaho to join the U.S. Forest Service. For the next two summers, he smoke jumped and fought forest fires across Montana and Idaho. He was then drafted into the United States Army and received his basic training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma in May of 1951. He served in the 1st Calvary, 5th Cav. Regiment, B Company. After he finished basic training, he was deployed to South Korea and later Japan for a year and a half. He was active in combat and fought faithfully for his country. He earned the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, a Combat Infantry Badge, United Nations Service Medal, and Army Occupation Medal (Japan). He then served in the Army Reserves from April 1953-1958. After serving in the war, Tom returned home to Iowa and then moved to Excelsior, MN the beginning of 1954 after his father got a job in the area. Tom later met the love of his life, Sue Thompson, through their mutual friend Don Schuetz in the summer of 1955. They were married a year later on June 10, 1956. Tom then enrolled at the University of Minnesota and later graduated in 1960 with a Parks and Recreation Degree. During this time, he also worked at the gas station for a dollar an hour to support his growing family. His first son, Tom, Jr., was born March 15, 1957, and his second son, Tim, was born February 27, 1959. After graduating, he obtained his first job at Margaret Playground/Recreation Center in Saint Paul. He then welcomed his third son, Jonathan, into the world on August 3, 1964. He later transitioned to become West St. Paul's first Park & Recreation Director for the next couple of years. This is when Tom and Sue moved into their current residence in West Saint Paul. He then worked for the State of Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota State Planning Agency, Department of Trade and Economic Development as a Grant Administrator for parks, Celebrate 1990 program, and the Small Cities Development Program. He then retired in 1992. Tom lived a long and happy, healthy life. In the summer of 2012, he was diagnosed with cancer which led to surgery to remove a mass. Shortly thereafter, he had a heart attack which led to a successful open heart surgery. However, he then got infections in his legs after the heart surgery which led to further surgeries and procedures. This was the start of many long, painful months of recovery followed by more complications and more procedures. His cancer continued to spread throughout this time. He was in and out of several different rehabilitative centers and hospitals over the last six months, but he did enjoy a few stays at home in between treatments and procedures. During this time, he took every opportunity to make sure his family and friends knew how much they meant to him. He left this world peacefully and with dignity just as he would have wanted. Tom had many interests and hobbies that he kept up with throughout the years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, grandsons, and friends. He hunted ducks, geese, turkey, pheasants, and deer. He especially enjoyed his trips to Moe Woods. Tom was also a collector. He loved collecting rocks, shells, books, and Korean War artifacts. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading Sig Olson's and Les Blacklock's books. Tom avidly supported his sons and grandchildren. He loved attending sporting events, concerts, plays, musicals, music recitals, and parties for his sons and grandchildren. He also enjoyed vacationing with his family. Tom was very active in the Minnesota Korean War Veteran Association (MKWVA). He was a past President of the Minnesota Korean War Veterans Association. Tom was also named Veteran of the Year by the MKWVA. He was also named Veteran of the Month by WCCO Radio. Tom was instrumental in the creation and dedication of the Korean War Memorial on the State Capitol Mall. Tom was also Commander of the West Saint Paul VFW. Tom was very active with the National Korean War Veterans Association serving as 1st Vice President from 1994 to1998. Tom also was Chair of the "Revisit Korea" program for many years. Tom revisited Korea five times including twice with his wife Sue, once with his son Tim, once with the "Revisit Korea" program, and once to represent the United States of America at the International Korean War Veterans Congress. Tom was also involved in the National Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., and attended the dedication of the memorial with his wife, Sue, and son, Tim. Tom was also very active at St. James Lutheran Church where he served as an elder, usher, Sunday school teacher, chairman of the Stewardship Committee, and also chaired the Annual Church Picnic for many years. He loved our Lord and Savior dearly, and he enjoyed serving Him in many different ways. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Sue Clawson. He is survived by his son, Tom, Jr., wife, Bridget, and their children, Ben, Laura, Emily, Allison, Bethany, and Grace. He is also survived by his son, Tim, and his children, Devra and Merica and her husband, Pastor Andrew, and their children, Drew and Marianna. He is survived by his brothers and sister: Jim (Linda) Clawson, Charles (Patricia) Clawson, and Barbara Jones. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law: Edward (Beverly) Thompson and Rodney (Claudia) Thompson. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Jonathan, and his parents, Frank and Gertrude Clawson.