We’ve created this site to remember and commemorate the irreplaceable, inimitable Thomas M. Khalil. Beware of imitations.
- Elizabeth Khalil & Judy Sale
Obituary
Thomas Michael Khalil, 81, of Detroit, Michigan, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on June 11, 2025 after experiencing a stroke.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judy Sale; daughter, Elizabeth Khalil; son-in-law, Peter Belytschko; and a wide community of friends and family who will forever miss his dry wit, keen intellect, unyielding integrity, and vast generosity.
Tom was born on March 16, 1944 in Detroit, the son of Sadie (Sams) and Thomas Khalil. After losing his father at the age of five, he maintained a close lifelong relationship with his mother, living with and caring for her in her later years. He spent his life in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, as much a fixture of the neighborhood as Tiger Stadium, and maintained a close circle of friends that first met in high school, including his eventual wife and fellow attorney Judy Sale. Tom, Judy, and Elizabeth have always been a close-knit trio, partly - but not solely - because of their shared profession as attorneys, and Tom has always been the biggest cheerleader and supporter of Judy’s and Elizabeth’s careers.
From an early age, Tom was a skilled writer and thinker, and set his sights on becoming a lawyer. He attended The Ohio State University, then known simply as Ohio State University, and Wayne State University Law School. He spent his legal career in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, where he rose to several leadership roles. Among other achievements, he successfully argued a case at the United States Supreme Court, the first case from the Prosecutor’s Office to be heard there. Throughout his career, he was known for his unwavering belief - frequently spoken, and always embodied - that attorneys, and anyone representing the government, must always act with the highest standards of honesty and integrity. He was also known for organizing social and professional events that brought people together in remarkable ways that people still talk about years and decades later.
Even while he was still actively practicing law, he also maintained several small businesses, including ones focused on officially licensed Detroit Tigers and Ohio State souvenirs, and parking lots around Tiger Stadium. He enjoyed parking cars on the lots himself after working hours, a welcome change of pace after a day focused on prosecuting offenders throughout the county.
In retirement, he never lost his profound intellect, nor his wry, humorous outlook on life - irreplaceable qualities to anyone lucky enough to know him.
Arrangements are private.
The family cautions that this is the only official obituary; please beware of fraudulent obituary websites generated with artificial intelligence or that otherwise aim to entice people to give or spend money. And if you see links on this site or elsewhere that ask you to pay in order to “plant trees,” buy flowers, “light candles,” or the like, please ignore them. If you wish to honor Tom’s life, simply live your own life with integrity, honesty, generosity, and humor.
Be Comforted by Memories
Tom was a fine lawyer and a better man. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and a great sense of community, hosting great annual Christmas parties at the Players Club. In my early years, I had to walk down to St. Antoine at the river to catch a train to Royal Oak, and he often took pity on me and drove me to the train in the winter.
He was a terrific man and a great friend, and one of my heroes. I can't imagine a world without Tom in it. I think of him often and will miss him forever.
Tim Baughman
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