Thomas M. Knapp

Born January 4, 1938, in Detroit, a son of Walter M. and Florence (Furnier) Knapp, Tom was raised in the St. Clair Shores and Harson’s Island areas of Detroit. Following high school, Tom entered the US Air Force in 1958, serving for four years. His basic training took place in Texas before he was assigned to K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base for the balance of his military service, receiving his honorable discharge in 1962, during the Vietnam Era. It was while serving at Sawyer that Tom met Judith Noel of Sands and on September 8, 1962, the couple was united in marriage. Together, the couple made their first home in Little Lake with subsequent relocations to Marquette and finally Midway Drive in Negaunee Township. For a time, Tom did odd jobs in the area and, while working at a local gas station, met the Marquette City Chief of Police and mentioned his desire to be a policeman. Tom enrolled in Northern Michigan University’s Police Academy and achieved his goal. For 27 years, Tom proudly served as a police officer for the City of Marquette, gaining the respect of those he worked with as well as the community he served. He took pride in being the best cop he could be and was recognized by many, including other law agencies, as a “good cop”. He retired in 1994, as a lieutenant while, at the same time, Judy also took her retirement. In retirement, Tom continued to work in various jobs, security with the Ojibwa Casino, at Sails Up Marine, as a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) instructor, and then for 15 years as a driver for MarqTran. When full retirement finally came, Tom devoted his time to being a caregiver to Judy. Tom was very much a family man who loved being a part of everyone’s life. He was always interested in what his children and grandkids were doing and particularly enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports, especially hockey. In his leisure moments, Tom enjoyed boating, going to the casino, mowing lawns and plowing driveways for the neighbors, relaxing with a Diet Coke, and had an interest in lighthouses and old shipwrecks. In his younger years, Tom enjoyed motorcycle riding, camping, and raced cars. However, his greatest enjoyment, outside of family, was his reputation for being a master practical joker. He could not only deliver a good practical joke, but enjoyed taking one as well.

Tom is survived by his children, Thomas J. (Kristin) Knapp of Palmer, Timothy M. (Kristy) Knapp of Negaunee, and Jason D. Knapp of Santa Monica, CA; his grandchildren, Cody (Kelsey) Reyes, Taura Knapp, Marshall Knapp, and Mitchell Knapp; great-grandchildren, Holden Reyes and Aurora Knapp; a sister-in-law, Cathy Knapp of Lexington, MI and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Judy, on June 13, 2019; his brother, Walter J. Knapp in November, as well as other in-laws.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Saturday, February 6, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. Masks and social distancing are required and the number of people admitted to the funeral home will be limited. Private family services will be held with public graveside honors announced this spring at Park Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas J. Knapp, Timothy M. Knapp, Jason D. Knapp, Cody Reyes, Marshall Knapp, and Mitchell Knapp.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.