Thomas Bradfield Johns

Thomas Bradfield Johns, 80, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, died December 1, 2015. Tom Johns, son of Thelbert Wayne and Genevieve Ione (Bradfield) Johns, and loving husband of Michele Johns, passed away at the University of Michigan hospital after suffering a fatal head injury on Thanksgiving Day. He is survived by his wife Michele, two sisters Lois and Beverly, two sons Marc, and his wife Julie, Greg, and one daughter, Kristen. Four grandchildren, Thomas, and his fiancée Monika, Grace, Benjamin and Stewart, and great grandson, Wesley, all living in the Detroit and Ann Arbor area, also survive him.

Tom was born on Feb 14, 1935, in Lakeland, OH. He learned at an early age to enjoy music as he listened to his father sing while his mother played the piano. His early years were spent in Ohio. His parent's passed on when he was 10 and he went to live with his Aunt Theora and Uncle Frank in Arlington, Virginia. After graduating high school he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, on a music scholarship as a voice education major. He earned both a Bachelor and Master of Music degree while at Northwestern which is where he also met his wife Michele.

After a brief time in the Army, Tom taught in Paletine, IL, and Albuquerque, NM, before coming to Ann Arbor in 1963 where he quickly became a cornerstone of the community. He served as the Music Director at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, where his wife Michele was the organist, from 1964-1978. He is also remembered for his teaching career in the Ann Arbor public schools beginning at Slauson Middle School in two roles as the Choir Director and Vice Principal, then at Community High School as a Forum Leader as part of the original team that started the school in 1972. Tom finished his formal teaching career at Tappan Middle School as the choir director until he retired in 1985. Given his love of learning, Tom pursued entrepreneurship in a local design business for the next 15 years. In his retirement, Tom continued writing and researching about the effects of Community in political and social culture.

We had family around him and mom for these last few days. His daughter, a horn professor at Valdosta State University in Georgia, played various classical pieces for him. His son, a master storyteller, was helping us all remember this beautiful soul that was dad. His granddaughter Grace was able to sing Danny Boy softly in his ear, which just melted our hearts. As a musician, educator, and family man, our dad was immersed in what he cherished most these last days: family, music, and sharing.

Please join us in celebrating Tom’s life. A visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec 5th, from 2–6pm at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S Fourth St, Ann Arbor, MI. A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, Dec 6th, at the First Congregational Church, 608 E William, Ann Arbor, MI. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Boychoir of Ann Arbor, 1100 N. Main Street, Suite 215, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 or visit www.aaboychoir.org.