Thomas R. Johnson, age 79 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 4, 2025 at the North Woods Nursing Center of Farwell, surrounded by his loving family. On May 4, 1946, Tom was born the son of Leroy and Mary Johnson in Saginaw, MI. Tom spent his entire childhood and early adult life in his hometown of Saginaw and was a graduate of the Saginaw Arthur Hill Class of '64. Shortly after graduating high school, Tom began his work career with the First Savings and Loan Bank of Saginaw, where Tom was introduced to a coworker named Connie Goetz. On August 28, 1967, Tom and Connie married in Saginaw and have enjoyed every bit of the fifty-eight years since. In 1973, Tom got an opportunity to manage the new First Savings and Loan branch opening in Clare and from that time forward, Clare was home. Tom displayed his love of Clare and its community in many ways: serving several years as the acting Clare City Mayor (1983-1985), Rotary Club President, and was active on boards for Central Michigan Manufacturing and the Clare Hospital, and of course, partaking in Clare's annual Irish Festival activities. Those of you who knew Tom, may have witnessed his performances of Strokin' after a few Cutty Sark and waters. Outside of work and community, Tom also had a great passion for golf (especially his Wednesday night Firefly league) and he was an avid Indy car and Sprint car fanatic-having attended fifty straight Indianapolis 500 races.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Connie of Clare and his daughters Kristine Hubel of Midland and Tracy (Chad) Norton of Cumming, GA. Other survivors include his grandchildren Bailey, Peyton, and Hayden Hubel and Griffin (Jenny Sims) and Ethan Norton, his brother Denny (Linda) Johnson, and his brother-in-law Denny Browne. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Mary Johnson and sister Dawn Browne.
A memorial service in honor of Tom will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at the Clare Congregational Church with Pastor Connie Bongard officiating. Friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to the time of service at 1:00 P.M. and a luncheon will follow. Memorial contributions in honor of Tom may be directed to either the North Woods Nursing Center for their great care given to Tom the last few months or to the Clare-Gladwin CTE Program. For those unable to attend services, online condolences may be shared at
www.stephenson-wyman.comPublished by Clare County Review from Aug. 8 to Aug. 9, 2025.