Thomas S. Ham

Thomas S. Ham (February 5, 1929 – January 9, 2023) Tom Ham, of West Bloomfield, age 93, passed on peacefully to Heaven on January 9, 2023. Tom was the middle child of his parents, Thomas H. and Emily Ham, and raised in Detroit. Tom was married to his wife JoAnne (Hendon) on July 8, 1950. Tom lost JoAnne, in 1981, after 30 years of marriage. They welcomed their children, Nancy (Stephen) Kee, Tom (Darcy) Ham, Martha (Timothy) Matzke and Rachel (Doug) Camper, into their loving home. He was Gramps to Wendy (Doug) Nichols, Scott Ham, Emily Matzke and Sarah Matzke; Great Grandpa to Peter, Elliot, Spencer and Audrey. He is survived by his sister Barbara Shepherd and brother Jim (Helen) Ham. He was also loved by his nieces and nephews who share fond memories of Uncle Tom. Tom began his career in media at the Detroit News in 1944, as a messenger, at the age of 15. After a couple of years in that position, he transferred to WWJ radio where he worked as a mail boy. In 1947, he began working as an assistant and received his First Class Operator’s License in 1951. Tom transferred between WWJ radio and WWJ television, working as an engineer, several times during his career. He retired in 1996, ending 50 plus years working in Detroit media/broadcasting. Tom may be best remembered at WDIV, Channel 4, as the Candyman. On a daily basis, he handed out a piece of candy to each employee at the station; studio crew, sales and business staff and talent alike. Many knew Tom as simply the Candyman. Both of Tom’s parents worked indirectly with the railroad and exposed Tom to trains at an early age. This exposure instilled in him a love for train travel. As a child, his Dad and Uncle Joe took him on train trips and he never lost his fascination with rail travel. After he retired, Tom discovered he could purchase a rail pass and travel all over the country for two weeks for a low price. He took many trips, from coast to coast, never stopping at a destination, the train ride was enough. He also enjoyed taking painting classes, bowling, baking and playing on his computer during his retirement years. Tom and JoAnne loved to travel with their family, and went on two or three week camping trips every summer. Their children appreciate those trips to many national parks, to include Yellowstone, Glacier, the Smokies, Maine, Florida, Cape Hatteras, and many others. Their children all continue to love to camp and enjoy family time together. A devoted and faithful Christian throughout his life, Tom was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church and Ward Presbyterian Church. Visitation for friends and relatives will be on Monday, January 16th, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., at the R.G and G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Road, Livonia, Michigan. A Celebration of Life will follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators – Timothy & Martha Matzke Ministry (www.wycliffe.org/partner/matzke) or a charity of your choice. Please share a memory of Tom in his Guestbook.