Thomas G. Theakston
June 27, 1954 – November 5, 2025
Cremation will take place and private family remembrances will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kalamazoo Rescue Project, c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Thomas Glen Theakston passed away at Centrica Rose Arbor Place on November 5, 2025. He was born in Flint, MI, on June 27, 1954, the son of the late Susan and John Theakston. Tom resided in the Detroit area for a short time before the family moved to Kalamazoo. Tom was a graduate of Loy Norrix High School and attended Western Michigan University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Tom was employed by General Motors as a supervisor and manager until his retirement from the Willow Run Plant in 2010. Tom then returned to Kalamazoo to be close to family. While Tom did not have any children of his own, he was a beloved uncle of his nieces and nephews. Tom enjoyed visiting the family cottage for summer holidays and hanging out with the family for cookouts and fireworks. He enjoyed watching a good movie, good conversation and he was quite the storyteller. Tom loved his time volunteering at the nursing home; he even helped one resident write a cook book. Tom loved animals, especially his beloved dog, “Roxy”; everyone who met Tom knew about Roxy. Tom was also preceded in death by a brother, Richard Theakston. He is survived by his loving sister, Lynda (Edward) Marnon; niece, Halloran (Ross) Yates and Kella (Dan Kluko) Marnon; great-niece, Klover Kluko; nephew, Edward Marnon IV; uncles, Peter Stoelzl and Clifford Kuhl; cousin, Karin (Victor) Miral and second cousins, Ashley Miral, Sydney Cooke and her sons, Quincy and Theo.
I write on behalf of myself and many of Tom’s Kalamazoo friends. We’ve not seen him much over the last couple of decades, but that does not diminish what we know about him. Tom was a loyal friend. He was very intelligent, although he was reluctant to admit that. He was so much fun to be around. He had a great sense of humor and he did not tolerate BS – he always called things the way they were. His goodness resonated with many generations. I’m Tom’s age and my late parents always loved him as a truly good person. He knew my siblings and nephew. They thought the same of him. That means much to me. I must mention two additional things. The loss of Tom has been very difficult for his friends, because we all cared so much about him and cannot imagine him being gone. One can only hope that others will feel that way about them when they pass. But it is important to remember that Tom worked so hard to be one of the most physically imposing people in our individual and collective memories. He bigger and stronger than anyone else. That is worth mentioning because it was so important to Tom. He achieved that goal. His friends consider him to have been a “monster,” a term I use in the most respectful and flattering sense. He achieved that goal. We love Tom and his memory. He is irreplaceable. We hope that his family knows the way we feel.
I worked with Tom in the late 80’s at GM Ypsilanti Plant. We were friends. We dated briefly. We kept in contact after I left Michigan across moves to 2 states, for years, but eventually lost touch. He was good to me, loving, kind, and made me laugh frequently. He was so funny and kept things in perspective. Something made me Google him a few weeks ago. I’m sad to find this. Sad to see he didn’t have children apparently. He would have been a good father I think. Till we meet again TT.