Thomas Ray Johnson's Obituary
Thomas Ray Johnson, age 78, passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022. He was born on May 1, 1944, to Gerold and Eleanor (Olson) Johnson in Muskegon. On October 9, 1971, he married the former, Charlene Kross, and they spent 51 loving years together.
While Tom worked at the Sappi Paper Mill as a crane operator, he would work all night and then head to the Montague/Whitehall pier to fish for salmon. After retiring, he still loved to fish bright and early in the morning for salmon and steelhead.
After retirement, Tom enjoyed spending time with his wife, Sherry. He spent his time at home tinkering in the garage, tending to his garden, playing with his grandsons, Corbin and Landon, and watching sports with the cat, Marvin. Tom and Sherry enjoyed taking drives up to Little River Casino in Manistee. When he was not able to drive any more his kids, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law would take them up to Little River Casino.
Tom loved sports! He was a lifelong Michigan sports team fan, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and University of Michigan. Tom and Jeff (son) went to a few Tigers games, a Red Wings game, a Pistons game, and Lions games together. He even got to see his grandson play at halftime of the Lions game.
His love for sports didn’t stop at being a fan. He coached Julie’s (daughter) Reeths-Puffer Summer Softball League for a few years. After Julie graduated, he continued to coach for the Holton girls’ Softball Summer League. Tom bowled on a bowling league for many years with Jeff and their buddies.
While Tom was at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Tom became a well-known winner at Bingo! This was probably because of all times him and Julie would go to bingo together. Receiving cards, letters and pictures brought a smile to his face. He was very grateful to his family and friends for coming to visit him.
Tom is survived by his wife, Charlene “Sherry” Johnson; children, Julie (Kurt Uniek) Johnson; Jeffrey (Julianne) Johnson; grandchildren, Corbin and Landon; siblings, David (Kathy) Johnson; Linda Strait; sister-in-law, Suncha Johnson; several nieces and nephews; and special neighbors and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Johnson and Butch Johnson; and siblings-in-law, Ron Strait.
A celebration of Tom’s life will take place on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church (1110 Dykstra Rd.) with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service at church. A private entombment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery. For a more detailed obituary please visit the family’s online tribute wall at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements entrusted to The Sytsema Chapel of The Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave. Muskegon, MI 49442.
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