Obituary of Thomas Andrew Clas

Thomas Andrew Clas passed into the presence of Jesus on July 15, 2023.

Tom was born in Albany, New York, on March 27, 1956 to William and Joan (Shea) Clas.

His childhood was spent in New York, Ohio, Nebraska and Illinois. He graduated from Benet Academy High School Lisle, Illinois in 1974.  

Tom married Lois (Smith) in 1980.  He graduated from the Tool and Die Institute of Chicago in 1981 and was nominated Tool and Die Apprentice of the Year.  

He worked as a precision grinder, and computer programmer in EDM for Flexible Steel Lacing Company of Downers Grove, Illinois for 33 years, and absolutely loved his work there.   

He retired in 2011, and then relocated with his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He worked at various jobs for Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado from 2015-2020.  

Tom enjoyed track in high school, was very competitive, had a strategic mind, loved board games, and excelled at chess. He loved watching his son play football and enjoyed the sport very much.  

He is remembered as a man of deep conviction, integrity, humility, compassion, patience, generosity, depth, and excellence. He had a quiet, peaceful presence, but could be very funny, and had a wonderful infectious laugh. 

His greatest passion had always been his relationship with God.  He loved to study the Bible and discuss theology and was an extensive reader and writer on the subject.  He loved his family very much, prayed for them faithfully, and was a caring husband and father.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, William Clas, and Joan (Shea) Clas; step-mother, Frances (Pino) Clas; and his brother, Daniel Clas.  

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lois (Smith) Clas; his daughters, Annamarie (Brett) Gibson, Christina Keyes, Elizabeth (Tyler) Bresson; his son, Adam; his seven grandchildren, Cruz, Arielle, and Callan Gibson, Kevin Keyes, and Liam, Elliott, and Caspian Bresson; he is also survived by his sister, Kathleen Clas of Palm Springs, California; and many nieces and nephews.

Our family deeply grieves the loss of the patriarch of our family, his wisdom, his gentle kind heart, and his warm dearly loved laughter. But we do know he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the very one who will comfort and sustain us until we are all together once again.

Memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to the family. 

Visitation, 2:00PM-5:00PM, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, The Springs Funeral Services-North, 6575 Oakwood Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80923.

Funeral Service, 10:00AM, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, The Springs Church, 1515 Auto Mall Loop, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920. 

Graveside, 2:00PM, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.