Joe Kotouc Clema, 79, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2017 in The Villages, FL.  with his loving

wife Esthella at his side. He was born in September 23, 1938 in Omaha, NE of Czechoslovakian heritage.

Joe was an extraordinary patriotic man with strong values. After graduating from high school with

national awards in Science, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and followed

in his father's footsteps.

As an Army Veteran and a Military Scientist, he had a long career and life of achievements in Science

and Technology which started at West Point, Company A-2, Class of 1961.

After getting his Ph. D. at Colorado State Univ., he was assigned to conduct chemical warfare research

at Edgewood Arsenal in Fort Collins, CO. This assignment also who took him to Germany and France for

a couple of years. A pioneer in the field of Artificial Intelligence, he was gratified to see the benefits of

his contributions into everyday life. His love and enthusiasm for science led him to publish more than 45

professional papers, and serve as Chairman of the Association for Computer Machinery. He was a Senior

member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. and the Armed Forces

Communications and Electronic Association.

His expertise in Computer Sciences, as well as his experience in the field of Technology, led him to the

top post as Chief Scientist at Fort Belvoir, VA, a position that he held until his retirement in 2012.

While serving as a National Lecturer for the ACM, he was invited by the University of Ottawa in Canada

to a NATO Conference where he met his wife Esthella.

His enthusiasm for life was not only contagious, but also inspiring. He was a great, proud and a very

humble man. He never relinquished his great sense of humor, which everybody who knew him will long

remember.

As a scientist, his legacy will be remembered because his complete biography was chosen

to be preserved and included in the White House Millennium Time Capsule as one of the enduring

items to represent America at the turn-of-the Millennium. This is considered a great honor.

In 2016, he and Esthella moved to The Villages, where he joined the Parkinson's Fight Club. There he

made great friends that he enjoyed and cherished until his last days. Joe touched and inspired so many

people over the years, and his legacy will be a treasured gift to those who knew him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Col. Joe A. Clema and Sylva Marie Kotouc, and daughter

Jennifer "Jen" Clema. He is survived by his wife Esthella Clema of 32 years, his brother Bill Clema,

Judy Clema, his sister-In law, his nice Kristy Clema and his cousin Jon Clema.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation (Parkinson.org)

Online condolences may be left to the family at BaldwinCremation.com.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 10:00 am at Bushnell National Cemetery,

in Bushnell, FL. on January 26. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at 12:00 noon at the

Eisenhower Rec. Center, 3560 Buena Vista Boulevard, The Villages, FL 32163 (352) 674-8390.