Tom was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 22, 1959 and died on February 23, 2017. He spent the last 16 years living on the streets in the Ballpark neighborhood. He had spent 30 years helping at Grove Market and Deli, and during the past 5 years he also helped at Willies Lounge. Tom was a staple in that neighborhood and was well loved. He continued to help and hang around the neighborhood until the day he died.
Tom moved into The INN Between on January 3, 2017 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He arrived with a friend and was in rough condition, but he seemed like the happiest man you’d ever meet. This was his personality, and he quickly made friends with our other residents, staff and volunteers.
Tom was a fun man and people loved being around him. While waiting for his ride to work every afternoon, he would walk to the Jordan river to feed the ducks and walk circles around our building. He enjoyed doing puzzles and was very proud of his room which he had just reorganized the day before he passed.
Tom never married or had children, but he had numerous friends. He often had visitors who frequently offered to take him places. Tom was contemplating a trip to Montana with some friends in the coming months. He happily recalled all the trips he had taken, many of them fishing, and was grateful to all the friends who brought him along.
The loss of Tom is deeply felt by our staff and residents, and we will miss his jokes and his smile. As Tom often said, “What are you gonna do except keep smiling?”
Tom is preceded in death by his father and a sister. He is survived by his brothers Wesley Johnson, Paul Johnson, Norman Johnson and Audie Johnson. We have been unable to locate Tom’s sister and mother who are thought to reside in Arizona. If anyone has information please call The INN Between at 801-410-8314 or
A funeral will be held for Tom on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 2 pm at The INN Between, 340 S. Goshen Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. A meal will be served following the service.