Don Thompson, age 79 of Bottineau, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Minneapolis hospital.  His memorial service will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Dakota College at Bottineau Gym.

Donald Thompson, a son of Chester and Rhoda (Knutson) Thompson, was born on June 17, 1945 in Grafton.  He attended Grafton High School where he played football, basketball, ran track and field and was in Joe's Band. DT played the trumpet that his grandson, Chester now plays.  He also marched in the New Years Day Parade in New Orleans.  He was active in the 4-H and raised champion Yorkshire pigs.  He graduated high school in 1963.  He attended Mayville State and received a double major in Social Science and Physical Education.  In 1968, Don Married Linda Fadness and they had 2 sons, Matthew and Aaron.  This marriage later ended.  In the summers of 1970-1974 he received his Masters in Education.  He also completed his Doctorate in 1980 from Stockton, CA.  Don taught at North Central Barnes County from 1967-1972 and he taught and coached at Larimore from 1972 to 1974.  He came to Bottineau in 1974.  He was a coach, professor and athletic director at NDSU-Bottineau now Dakota College at Bottineau.  He taught micro and macroeconomics for 52 years in Bottineau and at the Minot Airforce Base.  On June 11, 1999, Don married Sandra Lasher.  Don completely retired in 2018.  Don always said he never worked a day in his life because he was doing what he loved. Don had his first heart attack and triple bypass at the age of 45 and he never let it slow him down.

Don officiated hundreds of games over the years.  He announced at the Bottineau Football Games for 35 years and also ran clock and announced for the college and high school.  He loved going to games all winter with his friend Clutch.  He may be the only person to play, coach and referee a State Basketball Tournament.

Don loved his family and friends and he wrote his mother a weekly letter and she said she read them over an over again.  He continued to write weekly letters up to his passing. He was quite the story teller.  Mostly funny stories with a bit of truth.  He loved his dog, Coach and would spend the nice weather on the golf cart and in the garden.  On their golf cart rides, Don would pick Sandra wild flowers.  There was still a spark in The Old Professor.

Sandra and Don took many vacations to Florida, New Mexico, Las Vegas, the Black Hills, Medora and they attended the Hostfest for many years.  They also went on an Alaskan Cruise and ate King Crab in Juneau.  Don was very thoughtful and he was a true gentleman and a loving husband.

Don is survived by his faithful wife, Sandra of Willow City; sons, Matthew (Elizabeth) of White Bear Lake, MN and Aaron (Jynette) and their children, Freyjah and Chester of Minot; Sandra's children, Corey (Daniell) of Maryland, Darci of Bottineau, Bryce (Harmony) of Las Vegas and Brandi (Jeremy) of Willow City; 18 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Raymond (Kathy) of Bemidji and Lloyd (Claudia) of Grafton; brother-in-law Virgil Babinksi of Sharon; sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Jeff Kahn of Rio Rancho, NM; daughter-in-law, Jennifer of Billings, MT; friends, Claudia and Harold, Diane, Glenda, Melodee and Mike, Turk, Ardell, Red, Clutch, Gordy, Dave and Richard.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.