Thomas G. Johnson

Thomas Johnson, 65, of Grand Beach, MI, former New Buffalo City Manager, passed away peacefully in Franciscan Communities Hospice of Michigan City, IN on Sat., Sept. 14, 2013. Arrangements have been entrusted with Sommerfeld Chapel of New Buffalo. Tom was born in Woodbury, NJ on October 22, 1947 to George C. and Mary (Belch) Johnson. Growing up in NJ his interest was sports of all kind. After high school he came to the Midwest graduating from Michigan State majoring in Criminal Administration. He eventually found heaven in Idaho Spring, CO as City Administrator. His love for the mountains never left. When it was time to return to the Midwest he chose New Buffalo where he served twice as City Manager. He loved all the people who served City Hall and would brag that the best city workers were right here in New Buffalo. Much of the development in New Buffalo was accomplished under his time, including the Harbor Development. On March 28 of 1993 he married Karen Larkin. Tom retired on Dec. 15, 2007 for health reasons. He also served the Village in Grand Beach in 2012 by serving on the Planning Commission helping create the Village first Master Plan. Upon retirement he and Karen spent winters in Ft. Myers, FL, but would always return to Grand Beach in the spring. Tom also coached baseball in New Buffalo and was a former member of the New Buffalo Lions Club. Tom is survived by his wife Karen; children-Luke Johnson of Denver, CO, Matt (Erica Rahm) Johnson of New Buffalo, MI and Elizabeth (Jon) Vaughn of Villa Park, IL; step-children-Anne (Hugh) Tuomey of Wellsely, MA, Dorothy Carroll of Beverly, IL, John Larkin of Long Beach, IN and Michael (Francie) Larkin of Evanston, IL; 18 grandchildren-Ava, August, Meredith, Alana, Olivia, Mary Katherine, Hugh, Kieran, Marissa, Nicole, Katie, Callahan, Quinn, Anne, Ryan, Jack, Nora and Meg; his mother-Mary Johnson of Bridgman, MI; and sisters-in-law Nancy Smith of Springfield, IL and Marcia Jansen of Indianapolis, IN. He is preceded in death by his father-George C. Johnson, sister-Susan Johnson, son-Steven Larkin; daughter-in-law Stacey Larkin; and brother-in-law Mike Smith. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 4:00-8:00pm at the Sommerfeld Chapel in New Buffalo. Private family burial will take place at a later date at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Transplant Association, 47 W. Polk St., Suite 100-133, Chicago, IL 60605. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com