Thomas Van Johnson

Thomas Van Johnson (Thom) was born on January 30, 1935, in Stringtown, Mississippi. He died peacefully in his sleep, after suffering complications following a massive stroke, on June 6, 2021, at home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Ruth Mae, his daughter Karen Martin (Kay), a sister Blondean, and a niece.

He met his current wife, Jacqueline (Jackie) while commuting to work in Chicago. They were married in July 1993 and remained happily married for almost 28 years. Thom joined the United States Air Force in 1955 where he worked as a Cryptographer and was stationed at Thule Air Base, Greenland. He was transferred to Edwards Air Force Base, California. He was honorably discharged after 10 years in 1965 and went on to start his own successful radio and television repair shop.

​Thom joined ABC Television Chicago affiliate WLS-TV Channel 7 in 1981 as an Engineer and was soon promoted to Chief Engineer on the AM Chicago Show, a precursor to the Oprah Winfrey Show. Thom retired from ABC Television in 1999. In his spare time, he served as Trustee and interim President of the Village of University Park, Illinois from 2001 to 2003.

​Thom is survived by his wife, Jackie, his daughter Sheryl (Surge) Cohen, Daryl Van Johnson, Thomas Van Johnson, Jr., and Frederick Van Johnson, his sisters Alma Jean, Nancy, Linda, and Patricia, and his brothers Freddie and Jerry. He leaves behind to mourn a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, loving family, and friends.

​Thom loved photography, reading, music, traveling, documentaries, science fiction movies, and the original Star Trek series.

​Thom touched many lives and will be sorely missed. He left his mark by creating a loving and talented family and by sharing his positivity and knowledge with everyone. He was a loving husband and an encouraging and loving father.

Memorial donations may be made in Thom’s name to The Stroke Foundation or Diabetes Society.