Thomas O. Thompson

Thomas O. Thompson
November 27, 1929 • June 7, 2024

Thomas Orville Thompson, 94,  of Willmar/St. Cloud, Minnesota transitioned to Valhalla aka the Happy Hunting Grounds June 7, 2024. Thomas died peacefully at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Burial will be in the Rolling Forks Cemetery, rural Swift Falls.
Thomas was born November 27, 1929 to Ruby (Hanson) and Bernt Thompson near Swift Falls. Thomas attended country school and graduated from Murdock High School in 1948 where he excelled in baseball and football and was part of undefeated teams. In 1948, Thomas signed up for the US Navy and spent 3-1/2 years on the ship, LST 519, traveling the world.  He made many lifelong friends, with whom he kept up with for years. Thomas aka Tommy, learned a lot from farming so became a diesel mechanic on his ship. After the Navy, Tom was employed by several companies as a machinist. He had great problem-solving abilities and was an honest hard worker.
His first love was his family, followed by his many hobbies.  Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, pitching horseshoes, playing ping pong, chess, and all sorts of card games. After Tom's retirement, his horseshoe playing got more serious and he competed in several state and world championships.  He enjoyed reading Louis L'Amour books and being absorbed in the tales of the West.
June 19, 1954, he was united in marriage to Maryanne C. Gockowski at St. Adelbert's Catholic Church in St. Paul. They had 55 years of marriage and remained married until her death in 2010.  Following their marriage, Tom and Maryanne lived in Richfield, Long Lake, Delano, rural Benson, Osseo, then Willmar.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years and several sisters and brothers, son-in-law Eddie, and his special friend Gladys (Susie) Drexler of Willmar. Surviving are six children: Jeffrey (and Kimberly) Thompson of Alexandria; Anne Blaikie of Whittier, CA; Diane (fiancé' Steve) Buterbaugh of Riverside, CA; Debra (and Mike) Maras of Benson; Jay (and special friend, Barbara) Thompson of Paynesville; Todd (and fiancée, Robyn) Thompson of Mendota Heights; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren.