Thomas A. Klesmitt

1954 - 2012

Dr. Thomas A. Klesmit, 57, died April 6, 2012, with his wife and children praying at his side. He was under hospice care at his home in Heath, Texas, following a courageous battle with metastatic cancer.

Tom was born Nov. 17, 1954, in Stevens Point, to Audrey (Lukasavitz) Klesmit and the late Clarence Klesmit. He attended Wisconsin Rapids' Howe and St. Vincent de Paul grade schools, Assumption High School (1970 to 1972) and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1973. He attended Marquette University until the time of his father's death in 1975. After returning home to assist his mother, he later returned to college at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He later transferred from UW-Stevens Point and graduated from Viterbo College in La Crosse in 1980 with a double major in bachelor of science in Business Administration and Science.

On May 30, 1981, Tom was united in marriage to Ann B. Henke in Wisconsin Rapids. They lived in the La Crosse area for several years, working at various hospital and nursing home facilities. During this time both Ann and Tom became commissioned officers in the U.S. Army Nursing Reserve Corps as second lieutenants. They later decided to become doctors of chiropractic and moved to Davenport, Iowa.

In March 1985, Tom graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic with a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. He was licensed to practice chiropractic in Texas in 1985. In 1985, Tom and Ann moved to Dallas, Texas. Dr. Tom worked at Parker College of Chiropractic as an instructor in Irving, Texas, while Ann remained in Davenport to complete her chiropractic degree. In January 1986, Drs. Tom and Ann Klesmit opened Klesmit Chiropractic in Garland, Texas.

In 1988, Tom became post-graduate certified in Industrial Consulting from Northwestern Chiropractic College and created Preventech, Inc., where he taught doctors how to help corporations to prevent on-the-job injuries. In 1991, he became post-graduate certified in Manipulation under Anesthesia. During this time he served as chairman of the Tri-City Osteopathic Hospital. Concurrently, he opened two rehabilitation facilities for the post-surgical treatment of these patients. In 1996, he and Dr. Ann built Nutrition for Life International business helping people improve their health through better nutrition. During this time he spoke throughout the world.

Dr. Tom treated patients at Klesmit Chiropractic, P.C., until he became ill in 2009. He was honored for his work within the chiropractic community. He received the following awards from the Texas Chiropractic Association: 2008 District Five Medallion Club Leadership Award, 2008 Legislative Leadership Award, 2009 District Five Distinguished Service Award, 2009 District Five Pursuit of Excellence Award, 2010 A.C.A. fellowship of the International College of Chiropractic Award and the 2011 Dr. Thomas Klesmit Leadership Award. While he enjoyed a successful career, Tom's greatest pleasure came from his family.

Tom is survived by his spouse, Dr. Ann Klesmit of Heath, Texas; his mother, Audrey Klesmit of Wisconsin Rapids; his sons, Brandon, 16, and Jordan, 14; his daughters, Destiny, 17, and Deja Klesmit, 10; his brother, Dr. Timothy Klesmit, and sister-in-law, Diane Klesmit, and their son, Ryan, of Arlington, Texas, and their daughter, Lindsey Klesmit Hargrove, Tom's goddaughter, her husband, Jeremy, and their son, Dillinger, of California; his sister, Candace Ziemer, and brother-in-law, Dr. Terry Ziemer, of Scottsdale, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Klesmit.

He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall, Texas, with the Rev. Rick Donaho officiating. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at noon Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions for the Klesmit children may be made to Klesmit Family Trust, c/o American National Bank, 972-771-8361.

Rest Haven, Rockwall Chapel, Rockwall, Texas, 972-771-8641, www.rest havenfuneral.com