Thomas Francis Kearney

Thomas Francis Kearney, 89 passed away on March 15, 2026 in East Lansing, Michigan. Tom was born on September 12, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the fourth and youngest child of Phillip and Kathryn Kearney. At age seven he moved with his sister Roseanne to Grayling, Michigan to live with their aunt Bertha Peterson. Tom attended Grayling High School where he played in the band and was vice president of the class of 1954. He attended Michigan State University where he studied business administration and was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.

Following graduation, he moved to Alma Michigan to work in the insurance industry. Quickly realizing that he was not a salesman, he relocated to Detroit to work for the State of Michigan in the Labor Department. In Detroit he met the love of his life, Mary Vehill. They were married on January 26, 1963. Together they started a family, first welcoming Sean and later Kevin then Anne. In 1975 the family relocated to Lathrup Village. Tom worked for the State of Michigan for thirty-nine years as an occupational analyst. He retired in 1997. After retirement he worked for a short time with H & R Block and then returned to occupational research as a part-time consultant retiring permanently in 2013.

Tom was an active member of the Lathrup Village Lion’s Club serving as the club’s secretary from 1995-1999. In 2004 he was named Lion of the Year. In 2014 Tom and Mary relocated to East Lansing. Tom became a regular volunteer at the MSU Horticulture Gardens where he staffed the information booth on Friday mornings during the summer. He also volunteered at The Bookend, the used book store at the Haslett Library.

Tom and his late wife Mary enjoyed 62 years of loving marriage. Among their shared interests were gardening, historical preservation and reading. At their Lathrup Village home, they developed and maintained beautiful gardens for which they received numerous beautification awards from the city.

Tom lived a long full life putting family first. He was a generous and supportive father and grandfather. His children cherish the memories of nature hikes and other family outings but also time with Dad doing more mundane activities such as homework and yardwork. He was quiet, yet witty. He loved jazz and classical music. Dad ruled Sunday mornings preparing big breakfasts. Blueberry pancakes and waffles were his specialties.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Jack Kearney, Russell Kearney and Roseanne Gilette. He is survived by his children; Sean Kearney (Theresa) of North Carolina, Kevin Kearney of Royal Oak and Anne Kearney-Looman (Sean Looman) of Okemos, his granddaughters, Ashley Hendryx, Tessa Kearney and Angela Kearney; and two great grandsons, Finley and Sawyer.

The family will hold a private celebration. Gifts in Tom's memory can be made to:

Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens: https://www.canr.msu.edu/hrt/our_gardens/Donate-to-the-Gardens/index

Ferndale Cat Shelter: https://ferndalecatshelter.org/