No services for Thomas Lee Klocke, 73, are planned at this time.
Thomas Lee Klocke passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
He was born May 18, 1949, to Gertrude and Ivan Klocke in Clay Center, Kansas. Their place of residence was Green, Kansas. It was in this rural setting and due primarily to Gertrude that he first experienced the influence that art can have on daily life.
He graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1967. He earned a BFA from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1971 and an MFA from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, in 1973. He was a lifelong artist (as a painter and playwright) and arts advocate having worked at the Kansas Arts Commission in Topeka, Kansas, 1992-2007, and Hospital Audiences Inc. in New York city, 1986-1990.
Survivors include a brother, Richard Klocke, Lawrence, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Laura Klocke, Lawrence, Kansas; a niece, Thessa M’loe Klocke, Los Angeles, California.
Richard, I just heard of Tommy’s death. I have wonderful memories of our time at Grandpa and Grandma Klocke’s house almost every Sunday.
Dear Richard,
My heartfelt condolences to you and Laura upon hearing of Tom’s death. He was a good soul. We’re now another one short at the table. It’s ironic that my impressions of Kansas are inextricably linked to Tom’s stories in Bloomington so many years ago. Warmest regards