Thomas Harold Boggus

Thomas Harold Boggus, age 78, of Holland, Michigan, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 22, 2024. He passed peacefully at home with his family, and after nineteen years he is no longer battling Parkinson’s Disease.

Thomas was born on August 25, 1946 to Olive (Willis) and Harold Boggus in Omaha, Nebraska where he was raised with two younger brothers, Francis and Julius. He graduated from North High, Omaha in 1965. While in high school, he worked on the Union Pacific Railroad as a porter. Following high school, he served in the United States Army defending our freedom and liberty while deployed in Vietnam. Thomas served two combat tours with the Ninth U.S. Army Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic achievement, which included extraordinary bravery in combat during operations in Vietnam.

Following his military service, he moved to Lansing, Michigan where he lived with his Aunt Catherine (Boggus) and Uncle William Henry Harrison, M.D. and their family. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University. He pursued a career in law enforcement with the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) initially as Deputy. His career at ICSO included the dive-recovery team and mounted division. He was recruited by then-chief of police Thomas Hendricks to join East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) as an Officer, eventually accepting a position as Detective. He helped the children in the community “take a bite out of crime,” donning the Scruff McGruff costume, to the delight of his children. Following ELPD, Thomas returned to the ICSO as the Jail Administrator. Post law enforcement, Thomas became a Private Detective and started his own business. This led him to All State Insurance as an arson investigator and catastrophic claims adjuster, retiring in 2010. He also performed many security and chauffeur assignments, one of which included the protection detail of then-president Bill Clinton.

In 1984, Thomas married Terrie (Hendricks), the chief’s daughter, and they had three children, Anthony, Jessica, and Michael. They raised their young family, along with four horses, in the countryside of Mason, Michigan. The family eventually moved from “Boggus Acres” to Lansing, Michigan. Thomas was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, kayaking, skiing, and sailing on his beloved Lake Michigan. He was a member of the MSU Sailing Club in the 1970s. In the 80s, he became a certified boat captain and subsequently had several sailing adventures. In the winters you could find him outside with his family just being a dad and having fun in the snow.

In 2021, Thomas, Terrie, and their dog SamBella moved to Holland, Michigan to enjoy the benefits of Lake Michigan. A man of God with a generous heart, he was also a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by Terrie, his wife of forty years; his children, Anthony, Jessica (Adam),and Michael; brothers Francis,of Des Moines, IA, and Julius of Clearwater, FL; grandchildren Jayden, Laila, Dante, Cambria, and Aydan; one and only nephew David of Santa Cruz, CA; his nieces Kimberley (Becky) Strope- Boggus of Des Moines, IA, Claire Boggus, of Lincoln, NE, Emily Boggus (Alex) of Sacramento, CA, and Leah (Bob) Kickbusch-Marsh of Midland, MI; He is also survived by first cousins Monjett Graham of Mill Valley, CA, Ramona (Jerry), Bartee of Omaha NE, Wendell (Kathleen) Willis of Lenaxa KS, Raymond (Alberta) Willis of Omaha NE, Gary (Cheryl) Willis of Omaha NE, Margaret (Webb) Young of Gaithersburg MD, Lawrence Wade of Dallas TX, Bonnie Harrison of Phoenix AZ, and Debbie Harrison of East Lansing MI.

A private memorial service will be held at Lakeshore Memorial Services in Holland, Michigan.

The family is thankful for the care and services Thomas received from the Veteran's Administration. The family would also like to thank West Michigan Hospice and Comfort Keepers for the excellent care and services provided to Thomas. Charitable contributions may be given to West Michigan Hospice.