Thomas William Rooker, son of Dr. and Mrs. William Rooker, was born 21 March 1952 in Saginaw County, Michigan. He was a 1970 graduate of Okemos High School. Thomas died in a plane crash at Napolean, Jackson County, Michigan 31 August 1973. He was interred Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Saginaw, Saginaw County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 2 September 1973
ROOKER, THOMAS W.
1071 N. EVERY RD., MASON
Age 21. Died in Jckson County August 31, born March 21, 1952, Saginaw. He was a resident of the Okemos-Mason area for 8 years. He graduated from Okemos High School and attended MSU and Community College. He was proprietor of the City Body Shop, Lansing, a member of Airplane owners and pilots association. And a member of the Michigan National Guard. He is survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Rooker, Mason, mother, Mrs. Brian Ruud of Farmington, 2 sisters, Mrs. Dan (Christine) Lichtman of Farmington, Miss Mary Rooker, Ann Arbor, grandparents John Rooker, Saginaw, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Juntunen of Calumet. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel. Rev. Philip D. Hirtzel Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Mason, officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Roselawn Cemetery, Saginaw.
Mark Duncan (1973)
I remember Tom. He was an enterprising fellow. Only 21 and flying planes and the owner of a business. Also, at one point he worked at Burger King on Grand River in East Lansing. Pretty sure that he was the manager. As a customer one day I asked him for a burger and a fry; he responded by giving me a single fry. I thought that was hilarious. Obviously, he had a great sense of humor too. Tragic loss. RIP Tom