Thomas Delman "Topper" Johnson, born 14 October 1948 in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan, was the son of Thomas Andrew (1920-1979) and Melba Jean (Severns) (1918-2002) Johnson.  Tom attended Okemos High School with the Class of 1967 but transferred to Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana.  Tom married Claire Zaika in 1983.  He died 2 February 1985 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  He was interred with his father in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos, Ingham County.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 4 February 1985

JOHNSON THOMAS D. (TOPPER)

KALAMAZOO

Passed away Sat., Feb. 2, 1985.  Mr. Johnson was born Oct. 14, 1948 in Lansing, MI and had been a resident of Kalamazoo since 1970.  He was the son of Thomas A. Johnson and M. Jean Johnson.  He had attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, IN and also attended Eastern Michigan University where he played football and was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity.  Mr. Johnson was co-owner and operator of the Coral Gables Restaurants and Night Clubs throughout Michigan including Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Saugatuck, Lansing and the Detroit area with his brother, Michael Johnson, who survives.  He was an avid and well known sponsor of numerous activities associated with athletics including football and boxing, and the bringing of off shore power boat racing to Western Michigan by his creation and promotion of the "Coral Gables Challenge Cup", in memory of his father who had founded Coral Gables and preceded him in death Feb. 4, 1979.  On Sept. 17, 1983 he was united in marriage to Claire Zaika, who survives.  Also surviving are his mother, M. Jean Johnson; grandmother, Helen L. Severns; aunt, Mary Lou Severns all of Sarasota, FL; his aunt Margaret Stevens and her husband of Detroit; his aunt, Harriet Geier and her husband of East Lansing and numerous cousins.  Services will be held Tues. at 2 p.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 507 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo with the Rev. Fr. John Poulos of Lansing the Rev. Fr. Basil Stamas of Kalamazoo officiating.  A Eulogy will be given by Dr. Charles Zeller, M.D.  Friends may call at the Langeland Memorial  Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo where a Trisagion Service will be held Mon. evening at 7:30 p.m.  Graveside services will be held Wed., Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. in Glendale Cemetery, Mt. Hope Rd., Okemos.