Theron Thoms

Theron “Rod” Thoms, 84, passed away on May 20, 2024, at Pine Grove Crossing Senior Living Center in Parker, Colorado.

Rod was born in 1940 in Fargo, North Dakota at the Children’s Home Society and adopted by Hobart and Francine Thoms of Grand Forks, ND.

Rod grew up in Grand Forks spending many hours working in his parents floral and green house located next to the Northern Pacific Depot & Freight House. Rod graduated from Central High School in 1958 and attended the University of North Dakota while serving as student Public Address Announcer for many Sioux athletic activities. This opportunity afforded him a particular great seat along with the press during a visit by then President John F Kennedy in 1963, which he often loved to tell stories about.

Rod proudly served in the US Army where Rod was a commissioned officer through UND’s ROTC program, eventually achieving the rank of Captain. Rod met and married his wife Sandy while stationed in San Francisco before being assigned to the 425 Air Base Squadron based in Izmir Turkey and later in the Vietnam during the war.

After Rod's military service and moves back and forth between North Dakota and California, Rod and Sandy made their home in East Grand Forks where they raised their family and lived for nearly 35 years. Rod was a long time EGF City Hall employee retiring in 2009. Upon retirement, Rod and Sandy moved to Colorado but Rod often reminisced fondly of his years spent in GF/EGF, remained an avid Sioux hockey fan, and stopped anyone to chat who sounded like they had a Fargo accent.

Rod is survived by his wife Sandy and sons, Theron (Mary Kay) of Parker Colorado, Jon of Parker Colorado, and Eric (Jean) of Savage Minnesota; grandchildren Natalie, Julia, Aubrey, Jillian, and Theron III.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Francene “Bonnie”.

Family will be holding a small ceremony at Ft. Logan National Cemetery on July 2.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a memorial tree in memory of Theron “Rod” Thoms.