Thomas "TK" Keith Thompson

Thomas K. Thompson “T. K.” passed away 2 December 2023 from complications from Parkinson's disease. He was born in Minot, North Dakota, 19 January 1940, to Samuel Keith and Nelle Leona Benell Thompson. 

He married his sweetheart, Alma (Allie) Huddleson, 26 November 1960 and had their 63rd anniversary this year.   On their second date, they went to a movie featuring a drunken maid named Alma.  As they left the theater, he said “You are no Alma.”  She’s been Allie ever since.  They were the proud parents of three beautiful and talented children: Scott K. Thompson, Kirk P. Thompson, and daughter Kathryn E. Kramer. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jane Thompson Pate and son Scott Keith Thompson.  He is survived by his loving wife, Allie, son Kirk (wife Laura), daughter Kate (husband Robb), and grandsons Keith Thompson, Scott Kramer, Will Kramer, and, not to be left out, his grand and great-grand dogs and cats Daisy, Nico, Kaiya, Bailey, Atlas, Athena, Madison, and Cleo.   

He was a chemical engineer always looking for answers.  He worked for 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota, while attending school.  After graduating from the University of Minnesota and moving to Idaho Falls, Idaho, he worked for INEL and then was part of the setup of the first successful technology spinoff company from INEL – Energy Incorporated.  He joined LASL (now LANL) in 1977, then formed his own engineering consulting company, T.K. Thompson, Inc., in 1979, and continued as a consulting engineer until his retirement in 2002.

He had a lifelong love of music, particularly jazz.  He started his college life at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and while there played tuba in a Dixieland band.  His buddies from that period still call him “Dixie.”  When he sold the tuba and got his first guitar, he was asked why the change.  “Well, it’s a little difficult courting on the riverbank with a tuba, but a guitar?  Ahhhhh.”  In the years preceding his limited physical ability, he was an exuberant member of the Los Alamos Hillstompers – this time with a trombone!

T.K. loved being outdoors and was a hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed fine woodworking, and much of his beautiful craftsmanship can be found in furniture, decor, and fixtures around the house. But his long-lasting passion was photography.  He loved his dark room until he was forced to give it up because of the chemicals. His preferred photographic subjects were the weird and wonderful visions of nature, both profound and whimsical. 

A friend from the Santa Fe Parkinson’s group wrote the following: “TK was known for the joy he found in his photography.  He loved for people to experience the feelings he felt while taking his photos, and his landscape photos were uplifting and inspiring.  TK wanted those who viewed his photos to take a positive view of the world.”

T.K. was able to be an active part of his faith community at Trinity on The Hill Episcopal Church in Los Alamos for many years before having to slow down. He treasured the friends he made there and was once again a faithful attendee when he could join in the online services.

He was a member of the Los Alamos Heart Council and worked on the logistics of the Los Alamos Health Fair for many years.  After his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, he joined the Santa Fe Parkinson’s support group, was involved in the startup of the Parkinsingers, a singing group for therapy and enjoyment, and stayed involved with them even after the start of the Los Alamos Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Support Group.  He and Allie said the one positive thing about Parkinson’s was all the wonderful friends they have made because of it.

Thank you to all who helped make his life so much better.

TK's life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, 14 December 2023 at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, 3900 Trinity Drive in Los Alamos.  A reception will follow in Kelly Hall.   The service will be streamed live on the church Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TrinityOTH/).

Any donations on his behalf may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation (https://www.michaeljfox.org/), Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/), Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance (https://www.pmdalliance.org/), or a charity of your choice. 

Please feel encouraged to leave messages of condolence, stories, and pictures here for the family to cherish as they move forward.