Dean Thomas “Tom” Johnson 1943 - 2019 Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Battlecreek, Michigan

Dean Thomas “Tom” Johnson
BIRTH
23 Oct 1943
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA
DEATH
13 Jul 2019 (aged 75)
Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, USA
BURIAL
Fort Custer National Cemetery
Augusta, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, USA
PLOT
SECTION 5B GRAVE 880
MEMORIAL ID
201914793 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 1
FLOWERS 1
Dean Thomas "Tom" Johnson, 75, of Dowling, MI passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, July 13th, 2019 at the Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and entertained those who knew him with his unique humor.

Tom was born in Milwaukee, WI, October 23, 1943, the son of William and Beatrice Johnson. After graduating from Nicolet High School in Fox Point, WI, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BA in anthropology. Through the ROTC program, he became a commissioned officer in the US Air Force. Tom met his loving wife, while in college; they later married, at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. After his military service, Tom earned his BFA in art from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Tom worked as the curator of exhibits at The Kingman Museum of Natural History in Battle Creek, MI for nearly 30 years. Applying his artistic and scientific talents, he created unique, participatory exhibits which engaged the visitors and enhanced their understanding of science and natural environments.

Tom is survived by his wife, his two children, two grandchildren, his sister, brother, nieces, nephews and several cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard Terry Johnson; and his nephew, Owen Fiske.

Tom created a landscape of native plants and flowers on their wooded lakeside property. He volunteered for the Battle Creek Art Center and the Pierce Cedar Creek Environmental Institute. He was also a volunteer event supervisor for Science Olympiad at the state level and enjoyed creating thought provoking crime scenarios for students to solve. Tom participated in a life drawing group, the Battle Creek Artist Guild, and Voices of Peace. He loved games, especially duplicate bridge. He played regularly with the Kalamazoo Duplicate Bridge group, earning enough points to be a Ruby Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League. He also participated in a writing group and was writing a book when he died.

Funeral services with full military honors to celebrate at the Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta.

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