Thomas Johnson 1942—2016
Thomas S. Johnson, 73 of Rockford, senior partner of one of Rockford's oldest and largest law firms, died unexpectedly at home on Monday, February 15, 2016. Born May 21, 1942, in Rockford, son of Fred C. Johnson and Pauline Ross Johnson. He graduated from East High School in 1960 - where he excelled in debate and received the Oratorical Contest award. He graduated from Rockford College in 1964 and then received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-70, where he received the Meritorious Service Medal. Tom then returned to Rockford to join the law firm founded by his mentors, Karl Williams and John C. McCarthy, and began a distinguished legal career that lasted 46 years. He concentrated his practice in trust and estate law and received the highest recognition in his specialty by being named as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He was instrumental in the growth and success of WilliamsMcCarthy LLP and was President of the law firm from 1987 to 2002. Tom possessed a brilliant mind, a sharp wit, and was unwavering in his support of the firm, his colleagues, his community and the legal profession. In the tradition of Daniel Burnham, his motto was "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." Locally, he served in many leadership positions, including President of the Winnebago County Bar Association, Rockford Rotary, and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rockford College. He gave his time, talent and treasure to countless Rockford organizations, including New American Theater, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and to the restoration of the historic Coronado Performing Arts Center. For over forty-five years, Mr. Johnson provided leadership to a wide range of professional organizations, serving as a member of the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association and a member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association. He served as Chairman of four national commissions of the American Bar Association and testified on behalf of the American Bar Association at the age of thirty-three, at the Access to Justice hearings of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. He also chaired the ABA's National Conference on Legal Services and the Public. Tom also served as co-chair of a Joint Commission of the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association to survey the legal needs of the citizens of Illinois, which was instrumental in devising better ways for the Illinois Bar to meet the legal needs of the indigent. He was one of the founders of the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, a major funding source for legal aid offices across the state, and served as Chancellor of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers. He was the author of numerous articles for professional journals and delivered major speeches at meetings of the American Bar Association and fourteen different state bar associations. In 1997, he received the Illinois State Bar Association's highest award for a lifetime of service to the public and the profession. In 2005, he was named a Laureate of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers. Mr. Johnson was a staunch supporter of the cause of education as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, member of the Board of Governors of Regents College in London, and member of the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University. In 1990, he chaired a state bar association task force to determine how best to respond to bigotry and hate speech on college and university campuses and was the author of the final report of the task force, "If Words Could Kill." For over twenty-five years he served as President of the Board of Directors of Premier Boys State, which conducts an annual week-long conference on the campus of Eastern Illinois University, and in which nearly thirty-five thousand students participated during his years of service to one of Illinois' preeminent youth leadership organizations. In 1989, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Rockford College for his service to the cause of education. Tom was also a student of Illinois history, where he worked to preserve our state's proud Lincoln heritage. He chaired the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission of Winnebago County and was instrumental in the creation of the Lincoln Courthouse Square. He served on the national board of the Abraham Lincoln Association -- America's oldest and largest organization devoted to documenting, preserving, and celebrating our nation's Lincoln heritage. He was a Trustee, Regent and most recently, Chancellor of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, which administers the Order of Lincoln, our state's highest award, presented to six distinguished Illinoisans by the Governor of Illinois each year. Survived by sister, Phyllis Stigman of Rockford, and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; brother, Theodore Johnson; and sister, Joyce Johnson. Tom's unequaled manner and generous support of his family, friends, colleagues and the legal profession will be long missed.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Memorial gifts may be sent to: The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, One Old State Capital Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701; or Prairie State Legal Services, c/o Administrative Office, 303 North Main Street, Suite 600, Rockford, IL 61101. Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd. assisted the family with arrangements. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rockford Register Star on Feb. 20, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Johnson

Sponsored by Olson Funeral and Cremation Services, North Main Chapel - Rockford Olson Funeral and Cremation Servi.

14 Entries

Deborah Mataya

October 11, 2016

We just learned of Mr. Johnson's passing and very saddened for his loss! He was a guest at Hyatt Regency Chicago for 20 years and was loved by all employees! I will miss you Mr. J and your dry wit humor. What a kind person he was.
May God Rest your Soul!

May 26, 2016

I have only just learned of Tom's death, reported in the Harvard Law School Bulletin. I am writing to honor Tom's memory. He was one-of-a-kind.

Nothing is reported in this obituary about Tom's days as a student at Harvard Law. Tom was the President of the Harvard Law School Forum, chosen by the student volunteers who participated in its operation. The Forum was a special organization on the Harvard campus. It hosted major leaders of the U.S.A. and of foreign nations to come to Harvard and engage in a speech and then a panel discussion with Harvard professors knowledgeable in that speaker's field, hopefully with some voicing opposite or antagonistic views to that of the guest speaker, and a Harvard Law professor acting as program moderator. This gave a depth and meaningful discussion that exceeded the usual practice of having a single speaker, without contrasting or alternative experts. I have not seen any other organization use that format.

It was the Forum that brought Fidel Castro to the U.S. for the first time after he defeated Batista. We had Madame Nhu of Vietnam, famous artists and composers, high ranking politicians, military generals and CIA chiefs, authors and religious leaders.

I succeeded Tom as President of the Forum. It was Tom who taught me all about the finest engraved stationery that would make an impression on any recipient (except Ralph Nader, who rejected my invitation, angry that we could spend so much money on fancy stationery but would not offer him an honorarium; we only paid travel and lodging/meal expenses.) Tom arranged for our guests to stay at the finest hotels in Boston, with flowers and champagne to welcome them and a fine dinner at the Harvard faculty club.

The Forum President began the evening introducing the program and panelists. Tom was probably the most brilliant public speaker I have seen. He came across as erudite yet humble, serious but with a humorous wit that was lovable. He voice was was that of an ordinary mid-westerner who exhibited the sophistication of a Boston Brahmin.

I am not a bad public speaker, and I assumed his role after he graduated. But I have never achieved the level of Tom Johnson. Good bye, Tom. This world will miss you.

Brian R. Silver, Napa, Calif.

Jennifer Cartwright

March 29, 2016

I met Tom in Green Lake, WI. I worked at one of the local establishments he liked to frequent. He was such a kind person, with a genuine interest in people and really took the time to listen to whoever he was talking with. It will not be the same to visit Green Lake and not run into him.

Helen Huene Finegan

March 14, 2016

I knew Tom Johnson through my employment. Tom was always a gentlemen and a scholar.
My thoughts and prayers for Tom's family.

franklin D. Walker

February 25, 2016

another great member of East High school class of 1960 is gone. Peace be with you Tom.

Christine MacNeill-Hills

February 25, 2016

Such a kind and humble man. I will miss him and his quick wit. I feel honored to have known him.

Kevin Wilbur

February 21, 2016

Mr Johnson was an outstanding leader at Permier Boys State, I will always remember him most of all for his gift of the spoken work.

February 21, 2016

"A man among men." My deepest condolences to family, friends and colleagues.

Suzanne M. Riggall

David Scott

February 20, 2016

Tom - You were an outstanding President for Illinois Premier Boys State. The way you spoke at assemblies can never be done by anyone else, and the way the boys hung on your every word. You have been greatly missed. R. I. P. my fellow Army Veteran!!!!!

February 20, 2016

Tom was a good friend. I work with him with the Premier Boys State program. He was an outstanding speaker with a message. The Boys State program was a major part of his life. He was a respected part of the program. He has been missed as part of the program. I am certainly going to miss his leadership and his counsel. Thanks for all you have done for the Premier Boys State program.

Joe McCraith

David Higgins

February 20, 2016

UTom mentored me for over 30 years in his capacity as Boys State President. His keen wit and insight are missed. Now heaven has a heart.

Bob Engelhart

February 20, 2016

Tom was our debate coach briefly at Auburn High School when he returned to Rockford after law school.

I remember coming home to Rock River Towers from a bachelor party in August 1980, pretty drunk. I met Tom in the elevator and recognized him and told him how I had trusted Jesus Christ as my savior only the week before. He invited up to his top-floor apartment, gave me some coffee and listened some more.

Then he said, "Bob, I hear what you're saying and it's very good, but if you could see yourself now, you would agree that what you're saying and what you're doing are not consistent."

His words really struck me, and very soon after that, I poured out my alcohol and haven't had a drink since. I thank God for bringing Tom across my path at that moment.

Denny & Evie Johnson

February 19, 2016

Tom was such a great friend of many. He set an example for all of us in his humble quiet way. Well done, life well given and lived.

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