Return to Station Listings
|
Thomas Arthur "Tom" Gleason
Born: 7/20/1937
Died: 3/6/2016
Age: 78
Community: Burt Lake, formerly of Grand Blanc, MI
|
GLEASON, Thomas Arthur - age 78, of Burt Lake, formerly of Grand Blanc, died Sunday, March 6, 2016 at his cottage on the lake surrounded by those who loved him. A service to celebrate Tom's life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, March 12 at Sharp Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Road, Flint. Visitation will be held 1-4 PM and 6-9 PM Friday and from 10 AM until the time of service on Saturday. Interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, Flint. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Genesys Health Foundation in Tom’s memory.
Tom was born July 20, 1937 in Flint to Dr. Notary and Margaret Gleason. He attended Northwestern Military and Naval Academy, and was a graduate of Miami University in Ohio. After college, Tom worked in the Personnel and Manufacturing Division for AC Spark Plug, leaving there to work in sales at Vern Parsell Chevrolet/Buick in Holly. Tom went on to open a used car business in Owosso - Tom Gleason Motors. He opened Tom Gleason Volkswagen on N. Saginaw Street in Flint in 1965, moving that dealership to Miller Road in Flint Township the following year in 1966. He built Grand Blanc Motors on Holly Road in 1990 and sold it in 1992 when he moved to Burt Lake full time. He was a car dealer of Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ford and Suzuki over the years. After retiring from the car business, Tom owned and operated Drost Landscape in Alanson, MI, selling that and ending his business career as the owner of River Rock Grille in Indian River, MI.
Tom was Chairman of the Board of St. Joseph Health System and Genesys Health System for 26 years, as well as a Genesys Health Foundation Board Member and Chair of the Genesys CEO Council. He was a member of the Flint Rainbow Club, the Three Buck Club and the Hundred Club of Flint. He was also a member of the National Automobile Dealers of America and a past president of the Greater Flint Auto Dealers Association. Tom was the recipient of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Governance Award. He was a member and past President of Flint Golf Club, a member of the Golf Club of the Everglades in Naples, FL and Indian River Country Club.
Tom was an experienced pilot back in the day and loved to fly his twin engine plane. He was an avid hunter, sailor and fisherman, and a lover of life and laughter. He loved Burt Lake and wanted nothing other than to spend his final days looking at "his" lake. He was blessed with life-long friendships - many spanning over 50 years. He loved his friends above all.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Christine Gleason and Son-in-Law Jim Zembo of Grand Blanc; sister, Marilyn Marr of Lake Forest, IL; nephews, Scott (Ann) Marr, Jim Marr and Paul (Sue) Marr; great-nieces, Michelle Marr and Katie Marr; great-nephews, Rob (Grier) Marr and Chris Marr.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-Law, Walter "Skip" Marr; and many dear friends who are now all having one heck of a time in heaven!
Special thanks to Jackie Ormond and Johnna Hodge (and Ellie, too) for the loving care they provided for their "Tomcat."
Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. |
Copyright © 2025 Direct Obits, LLC
| Visitation |
| Date: |
|
3/11/2016 |
| Time: |
|
1:00 PM |
| Visitation will be held 1-4 PM and 6-9 PM Friday and from 10 AM until the time of service on Saturday. |
|
|
| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
|
3/12/2016 |
| Time: |
|
11:00 AM |
| Official: |
|
|
|
Return to Station Listings
|
|
