Thomas Krolikowski

Thomas Arthur Krolikowski, age 83, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born on September 27, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, Tom was the son of Arthur and Stephanie (Wojciechowski) Krolikowski. He graduated from Pershing High School in 1959 and went on to serve in the United States Army as a radio relay operator stationed in Germany, receiving an honorable discharge in 1965.

On November 9, 1968, Tom married Judith Zawilinski at St. Pancratius Church in Cass City. The couple lived in Detroit, where Tom earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University.

In 1978, Tom bought ten acres in Almont, Michigan where he and Judy lived for over the next four decades. Tom drew the blueprints for the home, later adding a two-story pole barn to the property. Tom loved cars, especially Corvettes and Avantis, having owned four Corvettes and a 1984 Avanti previously owned by its designer, John Ebstein. He was very active in Corvette and Avanti car clubs, traveling with Judy to meets all over the United States. He spent many happy hours working in his pole barn on his projects, some successful and some not. Tom was a mechanical engineer for most of his career, retiring in his mid-70s. He was an active member of St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Dryden, Michigan, until the last few years of his life.

Tom was a man of few words, but he was very kind. He very rarely argued or had a cross word to say about anyone. He was a faithful and hard-working husband to Judy and a good father to his children. He loved all the dogs he had over the years, especially his last dog, Johnny. He was very happy to have two granddaughters, Emma and Molly, and got to watch them as they grew up, graduated from college and started their careers, respectively, as a surgical nurse and a middle school science teacher. He was very proud of his family.

Tom had a positive attitude about life. He would tell those of us reading his obituary to take more risks, not to worry so much, and to have more fun.

Thomas is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Judith; his children David Krolikowski of Shelby Township, Jill (Andrew Capelli) Krolikowski of Troy; and granddaughters Emma Capelli and Molly Capelli, of Auburn Hills. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Arthur Krolikowski, and sister-in-law Nancy Krolikowski. Please share a story or photos on his Memory Page at www.muirfh.com.