Jerry Kieffer Clingan

Jerry Kieffer Clingan, 77, of Topeka, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, February 8, 2021.

He was born October 14, 1943, in Nowata, Oklahoma, the son of Wendell, Sr. and Violet (Jarrett) Clingan. He was a 1961 graduate of Delaware High School. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Science and Agriculture from Oklahoma State University in 1965. He served in the Army Reserves from 1965-1971.

Jerry was employed by Santa Fe-BNSF for 35 years from 1971 to 2006 in the Tax Department. He started his career in 1971 in Amarillo, Texas. In 1980, he was transferred to Topeka, Kansas. He later transferred to Schaumburg, Illinois and then to Fort Worth, Texas, where he retired in 2006. After retirement, he was able to extend his knowledge as a Tax Consultant for BNSF for many years. During his Santa Fe-BNSF career, he held many leadership positions in several National and State Taxpayer Representative Associations. He made many career lifelong friends through these groups.

He married Carey Tarkenton on June 2, 1967, in Plainview, Texas. Survivors include his two daughters, Melissa (Larry) O'Connor and Jennifer (John) Gordon; granddaughter, Celena Gordon; two grandsons, Kieffer O'Connor and Carson O'Connor; nieces, Kim Fletcher, Stacy Kaiser and Kelly Hines; and Sister-in-Law, Gwen Clingan. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Wendell Clingan, Jr. and John Clingan; nephew, Jarrett Clingan and niece, Lisa Hanson.

Jerry loved spending time with his family. He was a proud and caring father, wonderful and fun grandfather and good friend to so many. He enjoyed going to his grandchildren's school activities and sporting events where he was one of their biggest fans. Celena, Kieffer and Carson were his pride and joy!

He was proud of his Delaware Indian heritage and enjoyed attending events held by the Delaware Tribe.

He was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to Oklahoma State and the Oklahoma Sooners. He kept close connections with his Delaware High School classmates and visits with them were always a special time. He enjoyed playing golf in his earlier years and living on two golf courses throughout his retirement.

Jerry's family would like to extend a special thank you to the Wanamaker DaVita Dialysis team who cared for him during the past two years.

Honoring Jerry's wishes, cremation is planned. The family will greet family and friends from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 W. 10th Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66604. A Memorial Celebration of Jerry's life will be held at 1:00pm on February 20, 2021 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Wanamaker DaVita, 3711 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, Kansas 66610.

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