I've just learned of Tom's passing.  My heart goes out to his family, friends and co-workers. Tom has been my insurance guy for over 40 years.  I was 17 when I first met him.  He was agent for the local garbage company where I worked for 20 years.    My boss trusted Tom wholeheartly and so I decided to use his company throughout my life.  He and his staff are so personable that I'll never leave their agency.
He was a hard working, kind -all around great guy.    Rest in peace Tom.

Tom was my great uncle. He was the best uncle a kid could ever ask for.  There was a time I went over to his house to spend the night. I was pretty young. My dad Lars Nordberg said that my hair was perfect and that he didn't want my hair to be cut. That night my uncle and I went to great clips and he got a haircut for me. When I went home the next morning, my dad told my uncle that he didn't want my hair cut. There was also another time I went to stay at his house. I woke up the next morning and I sat at the piano seat and started playing something I didn't know because I don't really know how to play the piano. Then he starts to get up and come downstairs. He asks me "do you want to play a game?", and of course I said yes. It was a racing game called Forza Motorsport. I was pretty good at the game so my uncle came up with my legendary name that he would call me for the rest of his life: HotRod. Whenever I came to the office and I went to his desk he would immediately say "Hey HotRod", and give me a high-five. Then the last day I ever talked to him was by text. I sent him something that said that All of us are pushing for you because he went to Pittsburgh to get an MRI. Then he texted me "Thank you, Hot Rod, I appreciate your note". Then on December 3rd, I heard from my dad that he wasn't going to make it and we had to take a drive out to Lapeer to tell my grandmother that he wasn't going to make it.  He died the next day. When I went to his funeral, I sat there in disbelief. I knew that the most positive person in the whole world was gone. The one person that had the biggest impact on my life was gone. When the guy said that he needed all of the men to take the casket out of the car I was in tears. All of the men in the family that were there went to the car to take the casket out of the car and put it on a big wooden table with wheels on the bottom so we could wheel him into the funeral home in front of all the seats. Everyone went up one at a time.

Greatly miss the conversations with Tom over the years.  Both business and personal.  Great guy.

I’m so , so very sorry to hear about Tom’s passing.  He and Greg went to high school together, and remained friends until Greg’s passing a few years ago.   Both hometown boys.  I loved hearing about their adventures and epic parties.  Tom was a character- one of a kind.  A class act.  A nicer guy you’ll never know.       To Tom’s beautiful family- I know the pain and emptiness you are feeling from this devastating loss, but you’ll always have so many wonderful memories of Tom  to console you as you move forward through this heartbreaking time- one slow, small step at a time.   May God hold you in the palm of his hand.       
Faith, hope, and love.       
Nancy Brown




I was blessed to work with Tom for well over 35 years, and while  our relationship was originally for business, it didn't stay that way for long.  Soon after, it went more like jokes, laugh, take care of business and then more jokes and laughs!!  I  don't think  I've ever met anyone who could blend business and personal relationships as masterfully as Tom did.  From his phone calls to speak to me in German (Of which I understood little) to always sending me off with a story, I always knew I would leave or end our conversation with a big smile on my face.  

So sorry I missed the celebration.  Rest in peace "Herr Klix"!!


Tom was a neighbor of mine in high school-I used to throw my car in reverse while driving by his home.  He would laugh and state:  "Are you really this crazy?" to which I replied yes!  He was revered by a lot of fellow high school students.  He was funny, athletic, sincere and "crafty"!

I first met Tom roughly 30 years ago through the YMCA Parent Child program.  Our friendship has grown through the years.   I will cherish many memories, but the one that I chose to share is his love of jokes.  Any joke.  Any subject.  Any quality.  No joke was too dry, too old, or too corny.  He relished each.

Years ago Tom and I formed a 'book' club that focused more on camardarie than the written word.   Tom would arrive our meetings a bit late, well attired, slightly disheveled, toss a few books onto the table and say 'So two guys walked into a bar --- stop me if you heard this one . . . ' .  And off he would go with big smile and a deep laugh.

A while back we planned to dine at Lino's.  Tom phoned to say he would be a bit late.  I sat down at the bar and met the fellow next to me who was a New Zealand mutton salesman who had recently and voluntarily relocated to Marquette, MI from Key West.  There were things to discuss.  Tom arrived, introductions were exchanged and Tom broke into a joke about shepherds.  The fellow responded in kind and we were off to the races.  Sheep, cattle, ranchers, Texans, Ausies. . .  And gradually the folks around us were drawn into to witness the revelry, laughing at some jokes and shaking their heads at others.

Tom is cherished for the joy he so willing shared.  He is missed.  He will never be forgotten.



I met Tom during the late spring of 1976 at Michigan State where we were taking a 2-week crash course to get our Insurance Agent's licenses. I was staying on campus but found out he was staying at a local campground and biking back and forth to class.  He invited me to study with him and I took this picture one night by the campfire as we were memorizing mnemonics for policy coverages and exclusions. We passed our exam with flying colors and our friendship extended through our insurance careers, family outings, parties, Ipperwash, Omer and more.

When I lost my husband in 2008, it was Tom who spent hours with me on the phone, just as he did with others, and his compassion and understanding helped get me through this very tough time.  He was a great friend who never stopped caring and I will greatly miss our wonderful conversations and such warm hugs. See you on the other side, Tommy.  :-) Love, Pindy 

Only Tom could turn a meeting or call about insurance into a delightful experience. Once we met Tom, some 30 plus years ago, we were hooked on his business acumen.  More importantly we were hooked on his personality: his ethics, his kindness, his attention and his humor. There is a shadow, today, over the brightness he brought in our lives. We will miss you, Tom. God bless you. May you Rest In Peace with a big smile on your face.  Rich and Barbara  (Bos) 

Dear Lindsay,

What a beautiful tribute to your Dad! Ray and I wish you and your family peace and love and that you will remember to cherish the memories and that they may console you in your grief. 

XXOO 

Glad I got to see and share time at the golf outing and at the ATO house. Wish I could be there to share in the life celebration. Rest In Peace brother.

Ralph

Sending thoughts from Florida.    Tom was one of the guys that convinced me to go to Hillsdale.   Will forever be grateful for helping me make that decision.   Best to you and your family.

He was a terrific brother!  The Love he showed  for the ATO brotherhood was something I always enjoyed being witness to. He was such a fun guy but more so such a thoughtful caring soul. Always a joke but also a good listener.  He will be missed. RIP brother.  VTL

My brother Randy and I moved into our new house the summer before 8th grade and met the boy next door. Randy and Tom became best friends.

 I got a new friend too. Tom and I shared things we couldn't with others. If I needed to talk, I would walk next door and find him in the sunroom, playing his guitar. If he needed to talk to me, he would throw pebbles at my second story window. :) 

We lost Randy eight years ago which Klix and I both took hard. But we had each other. What am I going to do now, Ex Door Neighbor (guess who coined that term) ?  Love, Fancy.

I have such fond memories of Tom from the time he spent with  Randy and I   in Colorado. This is 1977 or 78 I think.  We had a lot of fun, he was a lot of fun.

Our deepest sympathies to the Klix family.  There are so many fond memories of Tom that you have to smile when thinking about them.  Rest in Peace my Friend.

Tom was one of the true giants in the Michigan Insurance industry. He was the example we all strove to emulate. Professional, knowledgeable, ethical, integrity were all synonyms for Tom. I knew if I was meeting with him, I better be prepared - because he would expect no less.

He was an unwavering advocate for his customers. On behalf of the entire Fremont family, we extend out sincere condolences to his family and the Whims Insurance Agency. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

He will be sorely missed by many of us.

Our deepest sympathies to Tom’s family and everyone that knew him.  Tom was a very special person and will be missed by many.  

I can’t find the words to express my sorrow.  Such a loss for Tom’s family, his many friends, Whims and Rochester!  I will truly miss him calling me on my birthday each year :(                    I will keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Thomas Scott Klix

11 septembre 1953 – 4 décembre 2019

H.P. Brandt Funeral Home

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service