Thomas Gregory Roznowski, a resident of Lago Vista, Texas, experienced 76 years of life on this earth. On April 28, 1946, Tom was born in St. Louis, Missouri. On January 25, 2023, after a battle with cancer, he left this earth to meet our Lord. Tom was raised in Du Quoin, Illinois, where he graduated from Du Quoin High School. Tom also graduated from three universities: Saint Louis University, Golden Gate University, and Saint Edwards University. On February 14, 1978, Tom married Janis Wike, who was the love of his life. Tom and Janis had a good life together and celebrated 44 years of marriage. Tom is predeceased by his beloved mother and father Martha and Jerome Roznowski and by his wonderful brothers and sister: Steve, Terry Roznowski, and Mary Ann Roznowski Quicksall.
MILITARY SERVICE: After graduating from Saint Louis University, Tom voluntarily joined the United States Navy. He joined the Navy in August 1968 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant JG in December 1968. He was assigned to the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) as a Naval Combat Information Officer and deployed to the South China Sea in support of Naval Combat Operations in North Vietnam. As a Combat Information Officer, he oversaw flight operations. Tom received an honorable discharge in November 1971, after which he spent 15 years as a member of the Navy Reserves.
EUROPE TRAVELS: In 1972, Tom spent three months camping in Europe, traveling to many places James Michener mentioned in his book “The Drifters.” One of the highlights of the adventure was running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain (not just once, but three times).
AUDITING CAREER: In 1973, Tom began his auditing career with the Government Accountability Office in San Francisco, California. In 1976, he transferred to the Health, Education, and Welfare Audit Agency in Austin, Texas. From 1984 to 1989, he worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he specialized in audits of federally-declared disasters which ranged from tornadoes in Oklahoma to floods in California to hurricanes in American Samoa. In 1989, Tom began working for the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General in Austin, Texas. Over the next 16 years, he worked on many high-risk, controversial audit issues in diverse areas such as vocational training of cosmetology students; use of Federal Pell Grants for prisoners; computer security on the Electronic Data Exchange, and forgiveness of student loans for death and disability. Tom also volunteered to accompany a special agent to four Pacific Island entities that received Federal education funds, to determine whether allegations of misuse of education funds were valid and if additional work was warranted. Tom and the agent were commended for investigating the scope of the embezzlement. Tom was project director or audit supervisor on six audits that collectively brought into question over $700 million and were each nominated for the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award for Audit Excellence. One of the projects, relating to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, was an audit of the education of Native American children with disabilities. This audit was particularly gratifying to Tom because the audit team’s recommendations were instructive and interesting not only to officials from the Departments of Education and Interior but also Native American leaders from the Circle of Nations and from the Chippewa and Navajo Nations. Tom demonstrated performance at the highest level of his profession, promoting the efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. In 2004, Tom received the Office of Inspector General Leadership Award for “providing direction, indispensable assistance and positive motivation to peers ….” In 2005, he was nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award. However, Tom’s most significant accomplishments may have resulted from his work with programs to help migratory children; Native American children with disabilities; and other disadvantaged children, because so many lives were positively impacted by suggestions and the recommendations of the audit teams.
OPERATION COMFORT: In 2004, Tom was one of the founding fathers of Operation Comfort, a non-profit organization formed to help wounded, ill, and injured service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and were recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Audie Murphy V.A. Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Tom served on the board of directors as Treasurer from 2004 until he retired in December 2019. He oversaw the disbursement of over ten million dollars, which came from donated funds and grants from the Texas Veterans Commission and other organizations. Tom was also a great help in Operation Comfort’s adaptive sports programs. In sled hockey he traveled with the team to oversee baggage, transportation, and hotel check-ins, as well as getting the players with all of their equipment to the ice rink on time. As a result of the dedication of the wounded players and their determination to win, they experienced great victories, but not just on the national level. They also brought home Gold Medals in the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia; 2018 Paralympics in PyeongChang, Korea; and 2022 Paralympics in Beijing, China. They fought for their country, and then played for their country at the highest level and won! Tom was always very proud of not only the Gold Medal winners but also all the other veterans he was so honored to serve. Tom also helped with the adaptive cycling program, always following in the support vehicle ready to change a tire, repair a bike, or switch out bikes. Tom had so much respect and admiration for wounded, ill, and injured veterans who were fighting to overcome the great obstacles they faced; he was honored to be of service to them.
Tom enjoyed life and had some good successes. Now he can enjoy Heaven! Tom is survived by two brothers Mark of Du Quoin and Charlie of St. Peters, MO., a niece Jill Vanzandt and her husband Jason of Du Quoin, a nephew Captain Jeremy Roznowski and his wife Captain Shyanne Roznowski of Fairbanks, Alaska. Brothers and sisters-in-laws include Scott and Anita Wike of Bedford, TX., Glenna and Tony Loera, Rex and Ursula Wike, Joanne Wike and June and Billy Jetton of San Angelo, TX. Nieces and nephews, Shane and Amanda Wike of New Providence, N.J., Jared and Crystal Wike of Euless, TX, Scottie Wike of Oregon, Barry and Cary Wike of San Angelo, TX., Robin Wike of Dallas, Laura and Ron Blaylock of Christoval, TX, Wesley and Erika Wike of Christoval, TX., Lael and Shane Griffin of San Angelo, TX, Hillary and Pete Jetton, Travis and Keri Jetton of San Angelo, TX.
Pallbearers will be Mark Roznowski, Charlie Roznowski, Jeremy Roznowski, Chris Leverkuhn, Jen Lee and Moses Sonera. Honorary pallbearers are Scott, Rex and Wesley Wike. Tom’s family would like to especially express thanks and appreciation to individuals who provided kind and loving care. Those people include Dr. Kamiya and his team at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital, Enhabit Home Health Care, Jennifer Prescott and her team at Blue Water Homecare and Hospice, and Blue and Susan at Singing Eagle Foundation in Lago Vista, TX.
SERVICES: Two services will be held in separate cities.
Church Service: St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 6100 Lohman Ford Rd., Lago Vista, TX
Date: January 30, 2023; Time: 11:00 am; Officiant: Father Ed Koharchik
Chapel Service: Harper Funeral Home 2606 Southland Blvd, San Angelo, TX
Date: January 31, 2023; Time: 11:00 am; Military Honors and Burial; Officiant: Pastor Philip Cook
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to Operation Comfort.org
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