Thomas O. Johnson

Thomas O. Johnson, 86, of Rockford passed away Monday, February 12, 2018. Born April 28, 1931, in Springfield, Illinois, son of Oscar C. and Mary A. (Rhodes) Johnson. He lived most of his adult life in Rockford. He especially enjoyed his retirement winters in Sarasota, Florida and spending time with his FL friends. He graduated from Feitschans High School, Springfield, Illinois and attended Springfield Junior College. Tom was married to the former, Judith “Judy” Phillips at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockford on April 4, 1959. He was Vice-President/Partner of Easton Associates, Ltd., Loves Park, IL from 1992 until 2016. He was employed by Sundstrand Aviation as a Manufacturing Engineer retiring in 1993; prior to that he was a Product Engineer, Chrysler Corporation, Belvidere, IL. He was a past member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Tom served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War and played on the 16th Corps baseball team in Sendai, Japan. Tom was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Rockford where he served as usher captain for many years. In Sarasota, FL, he was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Tom was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion. He was an avid golf enthusiast, he especially enjoyed the Ironheads Golf Group and Aldeen’s Mens Golf Association. He worked as a Play Coordinator at Aldeen Golf Club for many years. Tom never met a stranger. He had a love of family, people and life.
Survivors include wife, Judy; son, Thomas P. (Marcia) Johnson, Indianapolis, IN; daughters, Kathleen (Daren) Easton and Maureen (Jeff) Johnson of Rockford; son-in-law, Thomas (Patti) Heiser, Lawrenceville, GA; grandchildren, Benjamin (Megan) Easton, Katie (Derek) Huffer and Kasey (Josh Tuggle) Easton, all of Rockford, Patrick (Jasmine) Heiser, Hoschton, GA, Michael (Amanda Mondella) Heiser, Snellville, GA, Sean and Samuel Johnson, Indianapolis, IN, Victoria Anne Johnson of Rockford; great-grandchildren, Teryn, Delaney, Henry and Rylee Easton, Emerson and Liam Huffer; sisters-in-law, Maxine Johnson, Springfield, IL and Patricia Bracke, Rockford; brother-in-law, John (Dona) Bracke, Fort Worth, TX; very special nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by daughter, Maryanne Heiser, parents, brothers, Robert (Mary) and Charles Johnson, sister, Mary Judith (Richard) Kraus and niece, Linda Johnson Latino.
Funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 16, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with rosary at 6:45 on Thursday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road. Visitation will continue on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Corpus Christi Monastery of the Poor Clares, Holy Family Catholic Church or First Tee Junior Golf Program. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.