Thomas Henry "Tom" Timmermann

Thomas Henry (Tom) Timmermann – beloved husband, father, Pa and friend – passed away at his home in Farmington Hills, MI on November 14, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on May 12, 1940 in Breese, IL, a place that remained integral to his life long after he left to pursue his dreams. He graduated from Mater Dei High School in Breese in 1958 and went on to graduate from Southern Illinois University while serving in the Marine Corps Reserves.
Tom played professional baseball for 15 years from 1960 to 1974, including six seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers (1969–1973) and Cleveland Indians (1973–1974). Known as "the Rooster", he compiled a 35–35 win–loss record and a 3.78 earned run average (ERA), and recorded 35 saves and 315 strikeouts, in 228 major league games and 548 innings pitched.
After setting a Detroit club record with 61 pitching appearances in 1970, all as a relief specialist, Tom was voted "Tiger of the Year" by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. During a minor league game in 1968, he tied a professional baseball record by recording the maximum of 27 infield outs in a nine-inning game for the Criollas de Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
After baseball, Tom and his family returned to Detroit, where he went on to a successful career in industrial sales.
Family was central to Tom's life, and he was blessed with it in many ways. His daughter Heather was born in 1974 to his first wife Marcia, from whom he also gained stepchildren Marvin and Michelle Guire. In 1986, he met and married the love of his life, Ruby – whom he loved and cared for until her passing in 1999. Through his marriage to Ruby he gained a stepson Brian and extended step family that was dear to him throughout his life. In 1994, Tom met the son he never knew that he had – Phillip Leftwich – and had the privilege of building a close relationship with him and his family. After Ruby's passing, Tom enjoyed a wonderful 25-year relationship with Joan Martin. He loved his big, complicated family deeply, and stayed close to all, including his siblings and extended family, until his last days.
Tom was very outgoing and a friend to all he met. He enjoyed golfing, dancing, and spending time with friends and family. He will be greatly missed.
Tom is survived by his beloved children Heather (Scott) Shogan, Phillip (Ann) Leftwich and Brian (Sue) Swims, grandchildren Jacob and Sam Shogan, Luke (Kate) and Troy Leftwich, Brenna (Garrison) Schwartz, Brooke (Jack) Thomas, Lindsay (Kyle) McLaren, Kyle Swims and Colleen (Andrew) Coletta, 9 great-grandchildren, his brothers Rich (Susie) and Don Timmermann, brother-in-law Jim Taylor, sister-in-law Debbie Timmermann, his companion of 25 years Joan Martin, and dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife Ruby Swims Timmermann, parents Charles & Bertha (Niemann) Timmermann, brother Ralph (Madelyn) Timmermann, sister Mary (William) Kuhl, sister Rita Taylor, brother Charles Timmermann, and his first wife Marcia Timmermann.
Memorial services will be held at O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday, November 22, 2025, with Visitation from 10:00 am, until the Funeral Service begins at 12:00 pm (noon). Thomas will be taken to his final place of rest, next to his beloved wife Ruby, at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tom can be made to Community Link, a charity from Tom's hometown that provides opportunities for choice, growth, and independence for adults with developmental disabilities.