Thomas Klitch

Thomas Jerome Klitch led a courageous fight but passed away at age of 74 from heart failure as a result of polycystic kidney disease. He was born on June 6, 1942 in Hammond, Indiana and was one of 6 children born to his parents, Dolores and Michael Klitch. As a youth with dimples and curly blond hair he later became captain of his football team at Mattawan High.  Following a year at Western Michigan University, he enlisted in the Army to the surprise of his parents.  He served in Germany and when he returned to the states began working for The UpJohn Pharmaceutical Co. in Kalamazoo, Michigan while attending college classes.  He graduated from WMU in 1971 and continued to work for The Upjohn Company until he took early retirement in 1997.  Diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease Tom was the recipient of a kidney donation from his sister in 1992 and continued in good health until recently.

Thomas married his first wife, Judith Densmore and had two children, Eric and Holly. Tom married Maria Marques in Brazil in 1979 and they celebrated 38 years together and they had one son, Thomas Anthony.

Following retirement from Upjohn, Tom moved with his family to Jacksonville in 1998.  He was appointed as a Duty Officer in the Division of Florida Highway Patrol, Bureau of Field of operations, Duval County. Later he served eight years with the Department of Agriculture.

Tom enjoyed researching historical information about Jacksonville and had great fun showing visitors around and giving them regional history lessons.  Tom was an avid gardener and had pride sharing his knowledge with neighbors.  He was an outdoors man and hunter.

Tom will be remembered by his beloved wife Maria, sons Eric, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Thomas Anthony, Jacksonville, FL; sisters Mary (Alan) Atherly, Ames, Iowa, Patricia (Bill) Sprague, Richland, Michigan; and Deanna (Mike) Butler, Vicksburg, Michigan; sister-in-law Peg Klitch, Kalamazoo, Michigan; grandchildren Ian and Anna; numerous nieces and nephews; and especially his dogs Teddy and Maggie. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Holly Klitch and brothers Michael and Edward Klitch.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 224 North 5th Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL., Monday, February 6th, at 10:00am. Followed by luncheon and military burial services at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations for family medical expenses would be appreciated.