Thomas Michael Johnson Sr.

Tom along with his brothers William (Bill) Craig Johnson and Morris (John) HC Johnson III were raised by their mother and grew up known as” Betty’s Boys” due the sudden and tragic loss of their Father.  At age nine, this forever changed the dynamics of Tom’s life and would cement his life’s journey of hard work, perseverance and giving back to community, family and friends.

Tom married his High School sweetheart Jean Ann Mattingly in 1964 and the two have been inseparable in 60 plus years of marriage. After graduating high school, Tom & Jean soon moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to raise two children and began his more than 50-year career in Commercial Construction. Jean taught at Brownsburg Middle School and raised the children, while Tom worked nights and weekends working on blueprints.

A quick study, Tom advanced rapidly in the Contracting business and earned his experience with companies such as The Blakley Corporation and Sanborn Electric Company. In 1982 at age 36, with newfound promotion in hand, Tom moved the family to Windermere, Florida.

Tom opened the Orlando office for commercial drywall company Systems of the South and would then go on to purchase Specialty Contractor Mader Southeast, Inc in 1991 from Jim Biddle (Mader Construction) with whom Tom considered the “Father and Mentor he never had.”

Under Tom’s leadership, “Mader” quickly grew into the largest Specialty Contractor in Central Florida.  Expanding the business, Tom in 1998 made partners Jim Morehead, son TJ Johnson, Pete Wall and Jim Coddington.  They would go on to expand and open offices in Tampa, Jacksonville and Atlanta.

In 2006, Tom along with his partners negotiated the sale of Mader Southeast to Fortune 500 company Masco Corporation, owners of Merrilat Cabinetry, Behr Paints and Delta Faucets.

Tom built some of Florida’s most high-profile projects including:

Grande Lakes Resort, Orange County Convention Center , Orlando International Airport, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, WDW Animal Kingdom, Celebration Hospital, Portofino Hotel, Jacksonville International Airport, UF Ben Hill Griffith Stadium, Dolphin & Swan Hotel, Peabody Hotel, Miami Performing Arts Center, WDW Tower of Terror, Wizarding World of  Harry Potter,  FBI Southeast Headquarters, KSC Vehicle Assembly building and MacDill Air force Base CENTCOM Headquarters.

Tom lived quite the adventurous travel life with wife Jean, exploring all 7 continents and 77 countries.  This included multiple trips around the world by private jet with National Geographic, earning both of them the recognition as “Lifelong Explorers” with the National Geographic Expedition Society.  

From mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda, riding elephants in Thailand, swimming with whale sharks in Mexico to traveling with family and friends, Tom was always up for any adventure.

An avid boat Captain, Tom loved the ocean, and you could always find Tom with Jean on their many boats, in the Bahamas or relaxing at his prized beach home in New Smyrna beach, Florida.   

Tom was involved in many charities and has co-chaired the United Way and Give Kids the World. 

Tom was preceded in death by his eldest brother Morris HC Johnson III (John). He is survived by wife of over 60 years Jean, brother Bill Johnson (Chrissie), daughter, Lisa Ann Debole, grandchildren Rebecca Debole, Rachel Debole, Nicholas Debole(Christie), son Thomas (TJ) Johnson Jr (Pamela)

At the center of Tom’s life was his love of family. Tom said recently that one of his biggest accomplishments in life was to watch as all three grandchildren became first time homeowners.

Tom will be remembered for many things by so many he touched, but his best and longest lasting trait will be his love for wife Jean and his immense generosity to others.

Tom was that person, when in his presence made you a better person.

Funeral Services:

Saturday February 24, 2024

11am - 12pm (Family)

12pm - 2pm (Friends)

Woodlawn Funeral Home

400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd

Gotha, Florida 34734

407-293-1361

Private interment at Dr. Phillips cemetery