Thomas Harold John Sr., 83, passed away Monday, September 21, 2026 at Munson Medical Center.

Tom was born May 18, 1943 in Elk Rapids, the son of Harry and Ida (Anderson) John. On March 3, 1963 at the Kewadin Indian Mission Church he married Phyllis (Sineway) John, who survives.

He was born into a family deeply rooted in faith, family and the community within the Kewadin Indian Mission Church. His Father was a pastor at Kewadin Indian Mission, and the church would remain an important part of Toms life and the story of his family for generations.

It was at the Kewadin Indian Mission Church that Tom met his love,Phyllis Sineway. Their marriage was a part of a family tradition, as Toms parents, Phyllis’s parents, and later their son Bear and his wife, Shawnee, were all married at the same church.

Tom dedicated his life to his faith and to serving others. He attended the Minneapolis Theological Seminary in Minnesota, where he was ordained. Throughout his years of ministry, Tom faithfully served the communities of the Kewadin Indian Mission Church, the Northport Indian Mission Church, and the Members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

And then there was his sense of humor Tom always seemed to have a dad joke ready. Whether it earned a laugh, a groan, or an affectionate eye roll, he was always willing to share one. His humor was part of what made him so memorable and brought lightness to the lives of those around him. Folks knew Tom’s vehicle with the license plate of Rez Rez.

Tom was also a father figure to many beyond his own children. His children’s friends loved him so much that many of them wished he was their dad too. He had a way of making them feel like they belonged.

Tom is survived by his wife of 63 beautiful years, his children Angela Johns, Jackie Ogemaw, Thomas John Jr. Timothy (Tracy) John and daughter-in-law Shawnee John; his brothers and sisters, Harry (Carmen) John Jr., sister-in-law, Myra John, Cheryl Kukla, Debra John, Connie Twocrow, Edward (Cindi) John, Catherine Crowley, Gary (Carol) John; his grandchildren Michelle, Michael, John, Julia, Jessie, Jamie, Jake, Joan, Joy, Tatiana, Talon, Victoria, Niiwin, Vivien, Shane, Brandon, Victor, M’Konz, Nesse’win, and Anzhenikwe’.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Raymond, Mabel John, his brother-in-law John Kukla, his sons Victor and Theodore “Bear” John, and his granddaughters Krystina and Jewel John. Services were held on Friday, September 25 at the Kewadin Indian Mission Tabernacle. Burial in Kewadin Indian Mission Cemetery followed. Pastor Sam McClellan officiated.

Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.