Thomas M. McCloy

We sorrowfully say goodbye to our beloved husband and father, Tom McCloy, additionally an extraordinary brother, uncle, friend, and professional, after 74 years. Tom was known for his kindness, caring spirit, boundless encouragement, sportsmanship, and the deepest commitment to family and friends. Anyone who was lucky enough to know him for a day or a lifetime knew that being with Tom would make their day special and memorable. Most of all, Tom adored his wife Pam, and his son Jeff.

Tom was born in Tampa Florida to Earl & Lilla Claire. Being born into a military family Tom lived in Florida, Washington D.C., and Hawaii. It was here where Tom lost his wonderful mother Lilla Claire. While in Hawaii, Tom’s father, Mac, was blessed to meet Geraldine and they were married prior to departing from Hawaii. Mac then moved the family to Albuquerque and then to Alaska, where Tom graduated high school in 1964 in Anchorage. Following his graduation Tom attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating in 1968. Prior to his departure for Vietnam, Tom met Pam on a blind date. They were married 3 years later in 1971 at the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel. After graduation from the Air Force Academy, Tom served in Vietnam for a year. After his service in Vietnam he was an instructor pilot for the T-41 program at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. Tom and Pam moved to Fort Collins where he attended Colorado State University, receiving his Masters in Experimental Psychology. Their son Jeffrey was born in Fort Collins in 1975. The family returned to Colorado Springs at the end of 1975 where Tom taught Behavioral Sciences & Leadership at the Air Force Academy through July 1977. In the summer of 1977 Tom moved his family to Raleigh, North Carolina where he attended N.C. State and received his PhD. in Psychology in 1979. That fall the family once again returned to Colorado Springs where Tom continued his teaching in Behavioral Sciences and Leadership for 13 more years until his retirement from the Air Force in 1992. After his retirement, Tom and Pam moved to Washington D.C. and Tom worked at the FAA & DOT as a Scientific and Technical Advisor for Human Factors.

In 2015 he officially retired and Tom and Pam moved back to Colorado Springs to be near Jeff, grandchildren, and the majority of his extended family. Tom enjoyed playing squash, working-out, running, watching basketball and the Denver Broncos. Many of these he continued throughout the remainder of his life in addition to watching old western movies, listening to such artists as Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, taking his grand-dog Totsi on walks, Broadway musicals and most importantly family dinners. He reveled in the accomplishments of those he loved and whom he mentored and led rather than in his own achievements. Although his career and professional reputation accolades were remarkable, they were a small part of his big life which was completely centered around his family and friends. During retirement he spent his time with his bride, continuing to build more memories with his son, Jeff, grandchildren, siblings and many more we considered family. Tom’s kind smile, humility, generous spirit, gracious heart, and unwavering optimism will live on affectionately in the memory of those who knew and were inspired and mentored by him. The world has lost a super-heroic soul whose presence will be missed every day.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Pam & son Jeffrey, both of Colorado Springs, siblings David (Chris), Mary Kliza, Patrick McCloy, Timothy McCloy (Kathie), Robert McCloy (Arvena), grandchildren Ricky Cranford (Makayla) and Jasmine Bruce, and 15 nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents Earl McCloy, Lilla Claire Cash and Geraldine McCloy, and brother Michael McCloy (Carol).

Visitation is being held on Sunday, March 21 from 6-8 PM at Swan Law Funeral Home for those who would like to pay their respects to the family. The memorial service will be March 22 at 11 AM, followed by a family burial at the U.S. Air For Academy. COVID-19 precautions will be in effect.

In remembrance of Tom’s life, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to the Oral Cancer Foundation in his memory:

https://oralcancerfoundation.org/