Thomas "Tom" John Wilson

Thomas John Wilson, 84, of Ypsilanti, passed away July 16, 2020 in his sleep at Bickford of Carmel in Carmel, IN. He was born on January 12, 1936 in Royal Oak, MI, the fourth son of Loudon Guthrie and Grace Florence (Harrington) Wilson.

Tom married Johanna Kowitz on June 10, 1961 and they had three children; Wesley William Wilson, Warren Woodrow (Michelle) Wilson, and Genevieve Lenore Wilson (Eitan Shapiro). He later married Vivian Walz Thomas on November 15, 1986. He treasured his grandchildren; Lily, Leah, Braeden, Caitlin, Ariel and Sasha.

He was 10 years old when the new Kaiser-Frazer cars came out in 1946, and his love for these cars and their history lasted throughout his life. He was a member of the Kaiser-Frazer Owner’s Club, International since 1959, being club member no.6. He graduated from Algonac Michigan High School in 1954, Michigan State University in 1961, Wayne State University in 1965, and later studied at Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College. He served in the United States Navy from 1954-1958, training at Great Lakes NTC, Great Lakes, Illinois, Airman School-NATTC, Norman, OK, and the Naval Aviation Electronics Technician School, NATTC Memphis, Millington, TN. He was assigned to United States Naval Airship Squadron Three, at Lakehurst, NJ and performed electronics maintenance and was a member of Blimp Flight Crew 303, serving as radar, ECM, and radio operator. Tom taught Industrial Arts in Detroit, Temperance, and Whitmore Lake, MI. He worked as an operator, leader, and inspector for Chrysler Corporation, and for GT Products, Wells-Fargo Security, Yellow Cab, operated his own business “Ask Mr. Fix-it”, and operated his own rental properties in the Ann Arbor area for over 37 years. He was a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ann Arbor since 1975 and volunteered with the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Ann Arbor Civic Theater, and was a loyal supporter of the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum. He wished to thank his wife Vivian for the many years of wonderful love and companionship that were the highlight of his life.

In keeping with his wishes cremation has taken place and no memorial service will take place. Memorial contributions may be given to Ypsilanti Auto Heritage Museum, 110 Cross St., Ypsilanti, MI 48198 or Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter West Michigan Region, 29944 Fuller Ave Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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