Mr. Thomas H. Hulka's Obituary
Thomas Harold Hulka passed away June 28, 2020 at the Harbor Hospice Poppen Residence. Tom was born on a snowy January 13th in 1958 to Paul E. Hulka and Margaret (Sauders) Hulka.
The cold January birth date likely sparked Tom’s love for weather, particularly extreme weather. He delighted in cold snowy days and loved watching thunderstorms roll in across Lake Michigan. Tom studied federal weather charts and knew a wealth of weather data. Tom’s other interests included golf, bowling, trains, cars and traveling up north.
A 1976 graduate of Muskegon High School, Tom also had been a member of the MHS golf team. As a teen, Tom worked diligently running two paper routes, shoveling snow and doing yard work. Tom was a lifelong member of Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church where he participated in the Men’s Club and in the past he also served on the church council. Tom had previously been a Red Cross blood donor. Tom participated in service projects with the Muskegon Jaycees and always enjoyed the yearly Jaycees summer reunions. In December Tom could be found “selling” a special edition newspaper on the corner of Edgewater St. and Lakeshore Dr. for the Old Newsie organization to raise money for children’s Christmas presents. Tom was also a member of the Muskegon Railroad Historical Society, the Muskegon Eagles, the Polish Falcons and the Muskegon Recreation Club.
As a young child Tom developed a fascination with the City of Muskegon Highway Department to the point where he learned all the names of the drivers, numbers of the trucks and could even identify the machinery be their engine sounds. So amazed and impressed was the highway department staff that on June 28, 1968 they honored 10 year old Tom with his own “Tommy Hulka” day and presented him with an up close look at the trucks and city yards, his own union card and autographs of highway department employees. In a Muskegon Chronicle article of the time, a crew member was quoted as stating, “Why he knows more than the supervision about a lot of those machines”. Tom achieved his childhood dream of becoming a heavy equipment operator with the City of Muskegon and residents still rave of the care he took plowing their residential streets and noted he took pride in his work and always had a smile.
Tom enjoyed socializing with others and always was ready to help anyone in need. With a shovel in his truck and a battery charger he eagerly provided aid to stuck motorists. He took great care picking out beautiful holiday and birthday cards and gifts that he thought the recipient would really enjoy. Tom also shared his sense of humor with all who crossed his path. He enjoyed patronizing local restaurants, particularly Carmen’s Café, Joe Chan’s Bistro, Russ’s and the Lakeside Cafe. Tom loved Pere Marquette Park and every day took a drive around the ovals to enjoy the sight of Lake Michigan.
An amazing memory provided Tom with the ability to easily recall dates and happenings ranging from family events to national affairs. He easily answered trivia questions in categories such as music, movies, T.V. shows and cars.
Tom was preceded in death by his father Paul E. Hulka in 1966, and his Aunt Shirley Dornbos.
Tom is survived by his mother, Margaret Hulka (Robert Storch), sister Nancy (Duane Dunlap) Hulka, brother Paul (Nadine) Hulka, nieces Stephanie and Chelsie Hulka, first childhood and lifelong friend Jeff Gillard, his Aunt Phyllis DeBard, and many cousins.
A family graveside service will take place at Lakeside Cemetery at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 8, followed by a memorial service at Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 1860 E. HIle Rd, 49444 at 11:00 AM, also on Wednesday. The family requests that masks be worn and social distancing will be recognized. Contributions in Tom’s memory may be made to Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church. Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441.
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