Thomas "Tom" Claude Alley

Thomas “Tom” Claude Alley

February 19, 1946 – September 7, 2026

Thomas “Tom” Claude Alley, 80, of East Lansing, Michigan, longtime educator, Michigan State Representative, outdoorsman, traveler, and devoted grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Henry Ford Hospice Home in Jackson, Michigan, surrounded by his family.

Born February 19, 1946, in Bay County, Tom spent his early years in Pinconning before making West Branch his longtime home. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1964 and went on to Central Michigan University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1968 and a master’s degree in journalism in 1975.

Tom began his career as an English teacher, teaching at Pinconning High School and later Ogemaw Heights High School. He also advised school yearbooks and newspapers and coached football.

A Life of Public Service

Tom became active in local and state politics during the 1970s, including serving as chair of the Ogemaw County Democratic Party and as a delegate for Jimmy Carter at the 1976 Democratic National Convention.

Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1978, Tom represented Northern Michigan for 20 years and 10 consecutive legislative sessions. He became known for his leadership in conservation, environmental protection, tourism, recreation, and Michigan’s outdoor heritage, chairing key House committees in those areas.

His work earned statewide recognition, including Michigan Environmental Legislator of the Year in 1990 and Legislative Conservationist of the Year in 1991. Tom concluded his legislative career in 1998 and made East Lansing his home the following year.

A Life Well Lived

Tom loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and time at his family’s cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He had a special love for the Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile Club and the friendships and memories he made there. He also loved his Harley-Davidson, traveling extensively throughout the country on his motorcycle.

His adventurous spirit took him around the world, and he especially enjoyed returning to the Dominican Republic several times each year.

A photographer and writer with a lifelong appreciation for art, Tom also enjoyed Central Michigan and Michigan State athletics and the friendship and camaraderie of his friends at the Moose Lodge.

His Family

For all the titles Tom held during his life, some of the most important were the simplest: Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa.

Tom is survived by his daughter-in-law, Stacy Alley; his grandchildren, Lisa Alley and Kevin Knight of West Branch, John and Taryn Alley of West Branch, and Justin Alley and Daniel Sawyer of Raleigh, North Carolina; and his great-grandchildren, Alayna Tiernan, Jaxon Hudson, Scarlett Hudson, Sawyer Alley, and Parker Alley.

He is also survived by his two nieces, Pamela Seckinger of Cumming, Georgia, and Amy Mendenhall of Asheville, North Carolina and his nephew James Clifton Alley of California.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Evelyn “Ann” Alley; his former wife, Joyce (Gildner) Alley; his sons, Michael Thomas Alley and infant son Joseph Alley; and his brother, James “Jim” Alley.

Services

There will be a visitation held at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home, 109 E. Houghton Ave, West Branch, MI 48661, on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Followed by a committal service at St. Joseph Cemetery at 2:30 PM.

Contributions

Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile Club, P.O. Box 681, Rose City, MI 48654