Thomas Lloyd Thorkildson, age 71, of Clearwater and Glendale AZ, passed away, Sat. Sept. 16, at his home in Clearwater.

 

Tom was born November 29, 1945 in Minneapolis, and was the first child of Lloyd and Marge Thorkildson. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1963, and then on to Augsburg College. In 1966, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, and served a 2 year tour of duty in Vietnam.

 

Tom was an excellent salesman, and spent the majority of his professional career with Polar Plastics in North St. Paul. Additionally, he was also an entrepreneur, which in the late 70’s, led him to start his own business, Burley Products, which was also in North St. Paul.

 

More importantly, he was heavily involved in his children’s lives, whether it was coaching sports, teaching them how to fish, bringing them to Sunday School and Church (where he was a charter member of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Woodbury), or, in later years, offering life advice and being a sounding board to his two boys, and getting out on the golf course.

 

However, his most prized accomplishment was simply being “Grampa” to his 5 grandchildren. There was nothing that brought him more joy than simply being around Shawn, Joe, Madi, Andraya, and Scott.

 

He wanted nothing more than to see and talk to his grandchildren, as they were his everything.

 

Tom is survived by his two sons, Mike (Christine) of Hastings and Mark (Jen) of Elk River. His five Grandchildren Shawn (16), Joe (16), Madi (14), Andraya (13), and Scott (10). His brother Rick, and his children Chris (Jenny) of Windsor WI, and Stephen (Seana) of Champlin, Jo Green, Sandy Smalley, many cousins, and countless friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and friend Eva Gadberry.

 

Burial at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery with military honors. Memorial Service was Wed., Sept. 27. Visitation was Tues., Sept. 26, at Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel, Richfield.