Obituary of Thomas Duane Bock

Thomas Duane Bock, 72, of Duluth passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in St Lukes Hospital with his wife and children by his side. He was born in Duluth on March 30, 1944 to William and Marie (Makitalo) Bock. He graduated from Central High School in 1962. Tom served in the United States Army from 1965-1967 spending a year in Vietnam. Tom married Clarice "Claire" Maki on Nov. 29, 1969. They were married for 46 years and have two children, Deborah and Theodore. He started working with computers in 1968, as a computer operator in Minneapolis. Tom and his family moved back to Duluth in 1973, where he went to work for HBJ/Advanstar Communications. He went on to become a computer programmer, systems analyst and systems manager before retiring after 36 years. Tom loved their cabin, where they spent most of the summer enjoying the outdoors and family, especially the grandkids. He loved games but particularly cards. He spent many late nights with family and friends playing Shanghai Rummy. Tom's one true passion was traveling. Whether by car or plane, he just loved going. It was on his "bucket list" to travel to all 50 states. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Benny, Calvin, Robert and Michael; sister, MaryAnn and step-mother Ruth. Tom is survived by his wife, Claire; children, Deb (Phil) Mannon and Ted Bock; grandchildren, Maddie Peterson, Caleb Mannon, Jordan Mannon, Camden Bock and Cale Bock; sisters, Helen Nelson and Marge Youngberg; brothers, Chris Bock, John Bock, and Jim Ness; as well as many other family members. The family wishes to thank the St Lukes Cancer Center, Pulmunary and Internal Medicine physicians and the staff at St Lukes Hospital 6th floor ICU. GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. memorial service Friday, July 1, in the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 4100 Grand Av., 218-624-5200.