Thomas George Johnson was born in New York City on October 2, 1939, and quietly passed away on April 12, 2025. Affectionately known as Tommie or Tom, he grew up in the South Bronx, New York City. His parents were Thomas and Kathleen Paige Stovel Johnson.
Tommie was a true product of New York City and attended city schools as well as City College in Manhattan. Upon graduation from Taft High School, Tommie joined the US Air Force and served from 1957 to 1960 when he received an Honorable Discharge. He went to work on Wall Street for Bankers Trust as an Internal Auditor until switching his career into the world of computing. Tom’s progressive career in technology started with on-the-job training as a programmer and spanned many roles. He honed his technical, leadership, and management consulting skills at strong companies – Union Carbide, Wang Labs, Digital Equipment Corporation, and AT&T/NCR. In 1981, he was one of 171 people who received the NAACP Black Achievers Award in New York City. While living in the Bronx, Tom served as the President of Co-op City Black Caucus for multiple terms.
Tommie met his wife, Ruby, when they were 14 and 15 years old and were married in May 1961. They have three children, Marc Wendel (deceased), Kris Johnson Floyd and Fern Fenderson Johnson, and a dear son-in-Law, Alfonso Floyd Jr., and a wonderful grandson, Alexander Ellis Floyd, all in Frisco, Texas. Tom also has two brothers, Lawrence E. Johnson (deceased) and Ronald S. Johnson, and a brother-in-law, John Avignone of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Tom was faithful in serving Jesus. Tommie knew of Jesus but did not start a relationship with Yeshua until he received a Bible as a Christmas gift from his wife in 1978. Tom taught children and adult Sunday school classes as well as being an active participant and mentor in many Men’s Bible groups. Several years after retirement, Tommie and Ruby moved from Danbury, Connecticut to McKinney, Texas. During their time in Texas, they were members of three churches, Genesis, North Dallas Community Fellowship, and One Community Church.
Tom Johnson was such a unique man and his physical presence and engagement will be extremely missed by his family and many friends. He was known by all as a critical thinker, a man of laughter, intellect and thought… and a man who loved his family. Tom had a vast network that spanned decades, different areas of his life, and modalities! He often connected in phone calls but loved to send email and text messages to “his network.” He would share uplifting messages and engage in critical thinking and debate with his men’s groups and church peers. Tom leaves a wonderful legacy with the reminder for us to seek first the kingdom of God! He is loved by many family members and friends!!
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with a brother, father, cousin, uncle, grandfather, mentor, and friend – Thomas George Johnson! You’re a good, good father!
Dear Family and Friends,
We will celebrate the life of our father, Thomas G. Johnson, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at One Community Church, 2400 State Highway 121, Plano, Texas 75025. Visiting hours will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon and the celebration of life service will begin at 12:00 noon. A repast will follow the service.
A brief graveside burial service and military honors will also be held on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. All are welcome to attend this brief service which will be directly at the burial plot.
Guests attending the burial are instructed to enter through Gate 2 at Ferncliff Cemetery. Once inside, please follow the signs for Hickory Terrace. There should be a tent set up at the burial site, and parking is available along the side of the road nearby.
A repast will follow the service for friends and family.
Thank you for all the wonderful prayers, outreach, and love!
~Kris and Fern
Messages of condolence and cards may be sent to the family of Thomas Johnson, in care of Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.