Mr. Thomas Lee "Tommie" Johnson, Sr., of Elkhart, peacefully passed on to his Lord on Monday, October 17, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on June 23, 1950 to the late Albert C. and Margaret (Washington) Johnson and was a lifelong resident of Elkhart. In 1974, Tommie married his high school sweetheart, Loretta J. Johnson, after promising her dying mother that he would always take care of her daughter. 48 beautiful years later, Loretta survives Tommie at home.

Also surviving Tommie are his sons Thomas, Jr. of Elkhart and Ryan M. (Kaylynne) Johnson of Mishawaka; his daughter Alicia R. Malone of Goshen; his brother William "Billy" Johnson of Elkhart; sisters Mary (Alford) Warr of Elkhart and Cynthia Johnson of Goshen; grandchildren Veshon, Ashayla, Alayah, Xavier and Amiyah Malone and Riah and Khano Johnson, as well as a whole host of extended family, friends, co-workers, pals and those whom Tommie affected in a positive way but never knew their names. Along with his parents, Tommie is preceded in death by his brother, Albert, Jr.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart will host Tommie's homegoing services on Saturday, October 29, 2022 beginning with a gathering of friends and family from 11 am to 12 noon followed by his life celebration that starts at 12:00 noon. The Reverend Brian Whidden, pastor of Calvary Assembly of God Church of Elkhart will officiate and burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart.

When asked about things that made Tommie unique from everyone else, the entire family's simultaneous reply was "His smile!!!" Tommie ALWAYS smiled, and that smile seemed to reassure people that things were going to be ok because Tommie was there to fix things. It was a window to Tommie's happy soul, and it conveyed serenity and tranquility, even in the midst of trial and tribulation.

Now, Tommie was a construction worker by trade, a job that he mostly taught himself. However, over the years, He became more and more adept at the things he learned, and, finally, after mastering CAD and architectural drawing and blueprinting, he found himself as the full-time construction manager for going on 40 years at Elkhart General Hospital. He also used his building talents to head up many Habitats for Humanity home builds along with buddies that he had rounded up down at the hospital.

Tommie loved his family, and the best gift his father ever gave him was a little patch of land that he could call his own. He bought land for all of the children, and that is why even today the Johnson family lives close together. This devotion to family spilled over onto Tommie who included his wife and kids in just about everything he did. Loretta loved Florida, so Tommie was in the process of remodeling a vacation home down there. When Alicia was attempting to move into her own home, it was "Daddy" who came by and did the floors and siding and remodeling. He enjoyed going out and getting coffee for his sisters. He never missed any of his grandkids' sporting events. He loved taking everyone to Disney World and various other resort locations, and never thought twice about hitching a ride on a rollercoaster whenever he could. He had a love-hate relationship with rollercoasters; he loved the view but hated the ride. In fact, anytime he could kick back with his peeps was a good time to Tommie. Strangely enough, Tommie also had a unique habit of acquiring Notre Dame home game tickets. Nobody remembers Tommie ever buying one on purpose, but by gosh, if you needed one, he generally had some.

He was kind, courteous and just plain pleasant to be around. He was honest and a man of his word. He had a genuine love for others, and he always counted on his quick wit and endless sense of humor to tone down any tense situation. He was the family peacemaker and also its binding glue. But the best thing about Tommie's time here on earth was the fact that he used his time wisely to prepare his family for a day that could come without him. While they grieve his loss, they celebrate in knowing that Tommie's hard work produced a rich and complete life, and that he was the benefactor of so, so, so, so many precious and beautiful memories.  Finally, Tommie was "present" for the majority of his life's events and will leave a positive legacy for many generations to come. In the heart and eyes of his grandson, Xavier, he wants nothing more than to "be a great man like my Paw Paw." Pretty much sums it up to us.

Friends and family wishing to make a donation in Tommie's memory may do so by donating to the Calvary Assembly of God Church of Elkhart or to the cause of one's choice. Additionally, please be sure to thoroughly browse Tommie's obit page, as you are able to leave condolences and memories, post photographs on his memory wall, and order other funerary items in regard to the family.

Calvary Assembly of God Church of Elkhart
1010 E Mishawaka Rd, Elkhart IN 46517
Tel: 1-574-293-5963

Charity of One's Choice