Thomas Jay Wallem

May 4, 1946 - September 24, 2020

Tom Wallem, age 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep September 24, 2020. Tom was born May 4, 1946 in Vincennes, IN to Dorothy and Gus Wallem. He graduated from Lincoln High School (Vincennes, IN) in 1965, after which he joined the Air Force. He got to see the world and was a proud service member. After his honorable discharge as a SSgt, Tom moved to California where he would marry and have his 3 children. He worked for Schlumberger which took the family to Alaska and Texas before calling Bakersfield, CA home in 1986. Tom had a love to hotrods, drag races and car shows, that love that would build many of cars, friendships, and would be passed down to his children. He also loved all military history and was proud of his collection of books, pictures, collectibles, movies, and model planes & service vehicles he spent many years building. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Gus Wallem and brother, Lanny Wallem. He’s survived by sister-in-law Vera Wallem of College Station TX, son Joe (Angela) Wallem of Bakersfield, CA, daughter Tracie Wallem of Bakersfield, CA, daughter Kimberly Wallem of Bullhead City, AZ, and grandchildren Jessyca, Krista, Jade, Trinitie, Alexis, Allyssa, Wesley, Nathan and Charlotte.