Thomas M. Churan (Lt. Col., USAF RET), age 76, passed away November 28, 2017. He was born to the late Paul R. & Verna A. Churan in 1941 in Detroit, MI.  He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lesley; daughter, Laura C. Boaz (Kennon) of Gastonia, NC and son,  Jeffrey S. Churan (Michele) of Mill Valley, CA; grandchildren, Bradley Aaron & Madison Thomas Boaz of Charlotte, NC, and Camille Veronica & Nina Rose Churan of Mill Valley, CA.  Tom is also survived by brother and best friend Raymond P. Churan (Sally) of Albuquerque, NM and children, Ken & Carl Churan.  Tom was predeceased by beloved sister and brother in law Carol C. & Andrew J. Ellis, and is survived by their children Andrew J. Ellis (Maria), Cathy McNamara (Brian), Patricia Long (Steve), Amy Rohan (Bob), & John Ellis (Ingrid) and numerous grand nieces and nephews.

A graduate of The Johns Hopkins University (BS in Engineering) and Arizona State University (MS is Aeronautical Engineering), he dedicated 42 years of service to the United States Air Force as an officer, contractor and civil servant.  Initially in the development, marketing, and sales of high technology weapon systems and later as executor and manager of state of the art environmental projects at base level. Most notably he was a life member of both the Air Force Association (AFA) and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and a strong supporter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). He was a devout and active Catholic and embodied what it means to be a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.  In retirement, Tom served many years on the Planning and Zoning Board and the Chamber of Commerce for the city of Niceville, FL.  Tom actively supported the future plans for Catholic development in Niceville and was lead on the financial committee.

A funeral mass will be held December 8 at 11 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Niceville, Fl. The family will receive visitors 1 hour prior. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name can be made to Fisher House of Emerald Coast, PO Box 2007, Eglin AFB, Fl 32542 or www.fisherhouseemeraldcoast.org. 

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