Thomas Johnson

Thomas Arthur Johnson, 60, of Kendallville, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at home after an arduous journey with cancer that allowed him to watch his children and love, meet his grandchildren, and inspire innumerable people.
Tom was born to Heide Amrei (Barthel) Johnson and Arthur Virgil Johnson in Charleston, West Virginia on June 24, 1964. He was raised in Ligonier, Indiana where he graduated from West Noble High School in 1983. He went on to study Civil Engineering at Trine University (formerly Tri-State), graduating in 1987.
Throughout his career as a Civil Engineer he worked at INDOT, API of LaOtto, and E&B Paving of Fort Wayne where he persistently demonstrated his excellent work ethic and exceptional people skills. Skills that acquired him countless lifelong friends, whom all he treasured.
On October 23rd, 1999, Tom married Amy Beth (Forker) Johnson in Kendallville, Indiana with whom he recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. Amy and Tom were the best of friends. Their love was a flame that shown brightly, enduring the testament of time, and evident to all around them.
Beyond his marriage, Tom was an excellent role model for his children, the friend to call when in need, and had a certain joy about him that #lled any room with laughter. He adored children, he played with them relentlessly, cherished coaching them, and treated all of them as though they were his kin. Tom was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Kendallville Elks Lodge No. 1194, which was something he shared with his father-in-law, William Forker, whom he so admired.
Aside from his work, he moonlighted frequently as a stand-up comedian for all who would listen, a vocalist who serenaded the masses with his karaoke, and a guitarist in the family band. Tom's most prominent feature above all though was his ability to love, and his fervent devotion to God only amplified this. He shared his love with anyone who would receive it. He loved everyone he encountered wholeheartedly, without favor or reserve. He forgave those who wronged him, helped those in need, and diligently believed in treating everyone like family. There are few Toms in this world, so it's imperative we cherish the ones we #nd, and strive to withhold the standard of love he believed in.
Survivors include his wife Amy Johnson of Kendallville; daughter, Charlotte "Nicky" Johnson (David Collins) of South Bend; daughter, Tess Johnson (Rhys Weber) of Westville; son, Seth (Courtney) Johnson of Kendallville; Andrew (Annika Hawley) of Kendallville; mother, Heide Johnson of Ligonier; father, Arthur Johnson of Syracuse; brother, Kenny (Kim) Johnson of Cromwell; brother, Matt (Natasha) Johnson of Syracuse; stepsister, Brigette Barber of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Stephanie (Sam) Hopkins of Kendallville; brother-in-law, William Forker of Kendallville; sister-in-law, Nanette Forker of Kendallville; grandchildren, Luke and Daisy Collins of South Bend; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Tom was joined in Heaven later that same day by his beloved stepmother, Gail Johnson of Syracuse. He was preceded in death by father-in-law, William Forker; mother-in-law, Jane Forker; nephew, Austin Harman; and stepbrother, Casey Barber.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 301 E Diamond Street, Kendallville, Indiana with a Celebration of Tom's Life to be held later that day at the Elks Lodge, 120 Weston Avenue in Kendallville.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to Immaculate Conception Church for Masses for Tom.
Condolences can be left at www.hitefuneralhome.com, Tomamy64@gmail.com, or Tomamy64@att.net
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Thomas Johnson, please visit our floral store.