Thomas Galen Mcclurkin

Thomas G. Galen McClurkin, 86, of Cairo died May 12, 2013, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Mr. McClurkins wishes were for his body to be cremated. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family. Joint graveside memorial services for Mr. McClurkin and his wife, Corilee, who preceded him in death in 2008, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013, at the Cameron Cemetery near Wood River. The Rev. Melanie Adams will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Army National Guard Honors Team. Thomas Galen McClurkin was born Dec. 12, 1926, north of Shelton to Tom J. and Clara M. (Honnald) McClurkin. He grew up on the farm working for his father, and received his education at District 13, and graduated from Shelton High School in 1944. He helped in Operation Snow Bound, delivering supplies to stranded farmers and helped search for bodies from a downed B-17 during the war. Galen married Corilee May Lammers on June 22, 1947, at Ravenna. He briefly worked for the railroad and the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant driving a truck. Galen joined the Nebraska Army National Guard Co. H 134th Infantry in Grand Island in 1950, serving through 1953. In 1957 he and Corilee adopted Tammy Dion McClurkin through the Nebraska Childrens Home. The family moved to Aurora, Colo., in 1959, where he worked construction before joining the 140th Tactical Fighter Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard, Buckley ANG Base at Aurora, Colo., from 1960 through 1963 as a weapons mechanic. While in civilian life he worked at the Rocky Mountain Osteopathic Hospital as a nursing assistant until landing a civil service job at Fitzsimons Medical Center in Aurora, Colo. While there he completed nursing school and attained his LPN license. In 1964 he transferred to the 147th Army National Guard at Camp George West, in Golden, Colo. It is believed that he was the first male nurse to serve in the Army National Guard. He took care of many young men returning from Vietnam and trained young nurses and doctors. Galen went on to earn his P.A. License, as well as earning numerous awards and commendations. In 1971 he transferred to the 157th Medical Detachment as a flight medic, again at Buckley Air National Guard Base in Aurora, Colo. He remained there until his retirement in 1982 at the rank of master sergeant. In 1986 he moved his family to retire just north of Cairo. He was a member of the Cairo United Methodist Church and the American Legion. Survivors include his son, Tammy McClurkin of Cairo; two granddaughters, Sarah Dix of Denver, Colo., and Kali Ann McClurkin of Tulsa, Okla.; and two great-granddaughters, as well as his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Corilee; sister, Lucille Beadle; and sister-in-law, Darlene Lewis.