Age 70, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 4, 2018 cared for by his loving family and Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Tom was born in Adrian, Michigan on September 14, 1947, the son of the late Norman L. and M. Louise (Vosburgh) Harkness. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster stationed in Newport, RI during the Vietnam War Era. On September 13, 1975, Tom was united in marriage to the former Maren Christine Hagen, who survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Lauren Mary Harkness; brother, Timothy (Carol) Harkness and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. Tom was an avid shotgun sportsman. He enjoyed shooting skeet & sporting clays, but especially grouse hunting in the fall with his retrieving dogs. He was especially proud of the Lending Hands organization and his 10+ years of volunteer service. As a past journalist, Tom couldn’t go a day without reading a printed newspaper. He devoured mystery books and loved civil war history. Tom was known as a walking dictionary and finished a crossword puzzle every day. Most of all he was a much-loved over-protective father and devoted husband.