Orland "OT" Thompson

Orland Thompson, age 82, of Alexandria, died Friday, December 18, 2015. A funeral service will be held 2 PM Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Interment will be in Hendricks, MN. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 PM Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. OBITUARY Orland Jay “OT” Thompson was born February 21, 1933 in Pierre, SD, the son of Oliver and Thelma (Tvedt) Thompson. He grew up at Draper, SD and later at Hendricks, MN. He graduated from high school at Hendricks. Following high school OT joined the United States Air Force in December 1951. He was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base where he learned aircraft mechanics. OT later served in Korea during the Korean War. He was discharged from the service in December 1955. He returned to South Dakota where he attended South Dakota State College and received his engineering degree. OT and Sharon Kamstra have known each other since she was age ten; on November 28, 1958 they were united in marriage. They lived in Brookings, SD briefly before moving to Milwaukee, WI where OT worked for Allis Chalmers Co. He brought his family back to Minnesota and worked for the 3M Company in St. Paul. When 3M decided to open a new plant in Alexandria, MN OT was on board. He moved his family to Alexandria and was on the team that started the new factory in Alexandria. In 1992 OT retired from 3M. OT was always fascinated with aviation. He worked on airplanes in the service, learned to fly and was an avid flyer of radio-controlled airplanes and sailplanes. He was a member of the Model Airplane Club and the Academy of Model Aeronautics. OT liked spending time playing cards; his favorite games were Screwy Louie and solitaire. Music was an important part of OT’s life. He played trombone in marching bands and taught himself to play the piano, accordion, guitar and trombone. OT was a sportsman. He enjoyed hunting; he hunted deer, geese, pheasants and grouse. He loved hunting with his dogs. He also enjoyed spending time fishing in the summer and winter. OT admired the fishing Catch & Release program so much that, for hunters he founded the Shoot & Release program. OT was well liked for his sense of humor. Most important to OT was his family, he loved his children and was proud of them. Sharon was the love of his life and he was hers. On Friday, December 18, 2015 OT died surrounded by his family in the home-like setting of Prairie Senior Cottages. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Virginia Smith. OT is survived his loving wife, Sharon Thompson of Alexandria; Son, Scott Thompson and wife, Julie, of Glyndon, MN; daughter, Jodi Simons and husband, Kevin, of Brookings, SD; grandchildren, Tafney, Josh, Allie, Cassie (Matt and Gidget) and Ashley (Race); two brothers, Warren Thompson and wife, Darla, of Dayton, OH and Tommy Thompson and wife, Wanda) of Wilmington, NC; brother-in-law, Russell Smith of Hendricks; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Tuesday, December 22, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Rev. Phil Blow officiated. Interment followed on Wednesday in Hendricks. Military honors were accorded by the American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235 and the Minnesota National Guard. Casket bearers included Scott Thompson, Tafney Anderson, Josh Anderson, Allie Simons, Matt Jansen and Race Rolland. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Hime in Alexandria.

Orland "OT" Thompson

February 21, 1933 - December 18, 2015