Thomas Anthony Thompson

Livestreaming Tom's service can be found at:     https://www.youtube.com/live/rpNf0RfB-Uw?si=_E3bzCd03Eda-pPi

Here is the link, if for some reason it doesn't work, it WILL be on the St. Philip's Live Stream Youtube channel St Philip's Catholic Church, Bemidji - YouTube
www.youtube.com/@livestreamstphilips

Thomas Anthony Thompson passed away on March 13, 2026, in Wailuku, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 9, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a Rosary at 5:30 p.m. led by the Knights of Columbus, at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji, MN. On Friday, April 10, visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Tom may be directed to the Bemidji Community Food Shelf or the Knights of Columbus.

Tom was born on July 24, 1938, to Peter and Marian (Burgard) Thompson in Minot, ND. Tom grew up in Bowbells, ND. At the age of seven, Tom worked weeding garden beds and helping on a farm owned by a family friend.  In high school, he enjoyed playing sports and the trombone. Through his college years, Tom continued to work at that same farm every summer, and along with other jobs throughout the year, paid for all of his college expenses. While at North Dakota State University, he was a “house louse” at his Kappa Psi fraternity for two years, which stayed with Tom as a very useful and memorable experience. Tom took great pride in being the first person in his family to graduate from college.

Tom met the love of his life, Alice Dunn, in Bottineau, ND, where he was a new pharmacy graduate doing his internship at a small drug store. Alice was a nursing student at the St. Andrew’s School of Nursing in Bottineau. They married in 1963 and lived in Bottineau and Rugby, ND, Crookston and Bemidji, MN, always following Tom’s pharmacy employment. Throughout his lifetime, Tom owned a chain of drug stores with two in Bemidji named Thomas Drugs. Over time, he sold his stores, with his last pharmacy being sold to Thrifty White in 2008. A dedicated pharmacist, Tom never denied service to his customers, prioritizing their care both day and night. Receiving phone calls throughout the night, especially during the winter months, Tom worked tirelessly to meet their medical needs. He also served as the attending pharmacist for many years at Havenwood Care Center and Bemidji State University Health Services.

Retiring from full-time pharmacy work in 2008, Tom continued to work part-time as a relief pharmacist, bringing critical care to many small Northern MN towns in the Bemidji area. Tom retired completely at the age of 80,  after years full of dedication and hard work. He was a world traveler and appreciated the beauty and diversity of life. Tom often found solace in the pages of a good book. However, it was the time he spent with his close, loving family that truly brought him the most joy.

Tom and Alice were blessed with four children: Maria (Thompson) Houghton of Avon, MN; Ann Thompson of Blair, NE; Sarah (Thompson) Brown and her husband Doug of Bismarck, ND; and Peter Thompson and his wife Anika of Duluth, MN. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Donald Thompson; and his sister, Delores (Thompson) Lussenden.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Alice; their four children; and his beloved grandchildren: Ben Houghton of St. Cloud; Susan (Charles) May, Allison (Justin) Peck, and Scott Dobberpuhl, all of Omaha, NE; Ian and Ryan Brown of Bismarck; and Freyja Thompson of Duluth. He is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Poppy May, and his sister-in-law, Veronica “Ronnie” Thompson.

Tom will always be remembered as a dedicated pharmacist who served his community with care, generosity, and integrity. He was a devoted husband and father who built a home filled with love and laughter. His life reflected a deep commitment to both service and family, leaving a legacy that will be carried forward by those who knew and loved him.

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