Thomas Edward Clement, of Farmington Hills, Mi. died unexpectedly December 6, (12 days before his 92nd birthday 12-18-31).  Predeceased by his daughter Amy Louise, wife Lottie Shirley, brothers Arthur and Jerry, and parents Arthur and Agnes (Brill).  Tom is survived by his partner of the last 37 years Jan Phillips, his daughter Sally, her husband Victor (Baiardi), and his granddaughter Hannah.  Tom had many remarkable experiences in his life, including growing up during the Great Depression, standing in lines for Relief, and scavenging for pieces of coal. Tom worked many jobs during his childhood to help support his family including delivering newspapers, setting pins in a bowling alley and working as a soda jerk.  His family had to move multiple times until his dad secured a job as the General Foreman building the railroad at the country's largest naval base in Crane, Indiana.   Tom went to work in a nearby stone quarry when one winter day a toolbox fell from above, grazed his head and broke the worker's leg next to him.   After that experience Tom decided to voluntarily join the Army during the Korean war and entered Camp Breckenridge and was assigned to the 101'st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles."  During his 16 weeks of bootcamp Tom learned to shoot every weapon you could carry.  After completing routine IQ testing, Tom was one of two Privates in his platoon to be offered an appointment to West Point Academy.  During basic training he was hospitalized with pneumonia, and found to have a heart condition that necessitated his Honorable Discharge.  Tom was disappointed that he was unable to serve his country and always had the utmost respect for men and women in military service.

He then completed a correspondence course in drafting and began working at General Motors as a draftsman.  He soon noticed that many of his peers were advancing ahead of him.  His boss told him the reason was because they had college degrees.  This prompted Tom to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University.  He was a member of Theta Tau Fraternity and worked multiple jobs to pay his way through college.  At one point, he struggled to pay his tuition.   His professor told him that Purdue was considering a Co-op program.  Tom would become the "Charter Student" starting the Purdue University Co-op Program.  In 2024 Purdue celebrates its 70th anniversary of the Co-op Program at which Tom will be honored and inducted into their Hall of Fame.   After graduating from Purdue, Tom made his career at Ford Motor Company.  Among his many contributions are designing the 302 engine platform, developing coolant technologies, and proposing and implementing his innovation of Turbocharging for Fuel Economy, now known as EcoBoost.  Tom took great pride in knowing that his EcoBoost technology is being used in vehicles worldwide, and also helping to reduce fossil fuel emissions.

Throughout his life, Tom enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his cottage in northern Michigan, boating, golfing, RV'ing, But most of all he enjoyed his exceptionally close relationship with his granddaughter Hannah, who was the light of his life.

Private Funeral Service to be held at a later date

Memorial tributes are kindly suggested to Purdue University School of Engineering or by clicking the " Plant Trees in Remembrance " button on the left margin above, or below this obituary.