JOHNSTON - Thomas “Tom” E. Logan, 87, passed away on October 30, 2022, with complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Tom was born in Marshalltown, IA to James A. and Cora M. (Grindem) Logan. His father immigrated from Greece as a young man and served in the US Army and thus became a citizen, settling in Iowa. The family moved to Des Moines in 1942 where Tom graduated from North High School in 1953. During high school, Tom carried the Des Moines Register & Tribune for 3 ½ years while also working at the Chili King Drive-In. As a North High wrestler, he won the City Championship in his junior and senior years. Summers were spent lifeguarding at Birdland Marina and other local pools.
Following a semester at Grandview College, Tom enlisted in the Army for two years where he served at Fort Meade, Maryland. He always said he was lucky to have served during peaceful times.
After the Army, he went on to attend the University of Iowa where he graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts in 1959. While in college, the Hawkeyes went to two Rose Bowl games and won them both. Tom and his SAE fraternity brothers attended both games and he became a Hawkeye fan for life. In those days, they lived for football weekends! He became lifelong friends with his fraternity brothers and enjoyed their reunions in Iowa City and keeping in touch over the years.
Tom had a successful career in the insurance field, starting out in the home offices of National Travelers Life in Des Moines and later with Lutheran Mutual in Waverly, Iowa. It was there that he transitioned into sales with Lutheran Mutual and TransAmerica Life. The last fifteen years of his career he was an independent insurance broker, representing Brokers Clearing House in West Des Moines.
Giving back was important to Tom and he set an example by volunteering at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Urbandale. He was also civic-minded and involved in the community of Johnston, IA for many years, serving as President of the Johnston Chamber of Commerce. He was the founder of Johnston Green Days, which garnered him the nickname, “Mr. Green Days”. This event has since grown to a large parade and festival held in Johnston each year. In 1999, Tom was Johnston Citizen of the Year and celebrated during the parade and festival. In his retirement, he was a hospital volunteer, and he also volunteered at Wallace Elementary helping children with math, spelling, and offering encouragement.
When he wasn’t cheering for the Hawkeyes, Tom also rooted for the Chicago Cubs and was thrilled to see them win the world series in his lifetime. Sports were a big part of his life. Before Parkinson’s came along, Tom had been an avid bicycle rider and rode across Iowa with RAGBRAI several times. He was also diligent in working out three days a week and was able to continue this until earlier this year. He also made many great friends while playing senior softball during a time he lived in Sarasota, Florida.
Besides sports, Tom was an avid reader of WWII books and frequented the local library. He also enjoyed historical movies on WWII, sports-themed movies, and most of all, musicals. In his younger days, Tom loved to dance, and he could really cut a rug!
We will forever miss this kind, gentle man. He lived his life with the greatest integrity; always thinking of others first. He loved his partner Janet, his children, and their families, with all his heart and wanted nothing but the best for them. He was able to live at home up until his final two weeks, and never lost his quirky sense of humor and positive outlook even though he was ready to go. Tom was always so appreciative of the care he received and never missed an opportunity to say so.
Left to treasure his memory are his loving partner of 23 years, Janet Clark of Johnston, IA, and his children, daughter Kimberly Logan James (husband Ray Laflin) of Nevada City, CA, son, Thomas J. “TJ” Logan (wife Mindy) of Polk City, IA, and Jennifer M. Logan (Michael Angersola) of Johnston, IA. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Logan (husband Ryan) Tremblay, Marlo Kidney, Adrian Weishaar, Edward Logan, Cale Charlet, and Kamryn Charlet, and a host of other family and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother James Logan, and grandson, David Mikel Logan.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Covenant Christian Church, 2700 72nd St, Urbandale, IA. Visitation at 1pm; service at 2pm. Private service will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA, at a later date. The service will also be live streamed on the Covenant Christian Church Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Tom’s honor through the funeral home by mail
Merle Hay Funeral Home
ATTN: In Loving Memory of Thomas Logan
4400 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines, IA 50310
or to the Parkinson’s Association - www.parkinsonsassociation.org
640 W Solana Cir, Unit 25
Solana Beach CA 92075-2349
or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research - www.michaeljfox.org
Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777
New York NY 10163
or your local animal shelter.