H. Thomas McKennett (Tom), age 93, of Fargo, ND, passed away January 1, 2013.

Memorial Services for Tom will be on Sunday, June 9, 2013 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Bowman United Methodist Church in Bowman. Pastor Ron Olson will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery.

Tom was born in Webster, SD to Lois Nash and Harry McKennett. He moved to Bowman, ND at the age of 10 where he lived until 1964. He owned and operated the McKennett elevators in Bowman and Griffin.

He married Thelma Linnea Bloomgren May 16, 1942 in Ft. Lewis, Washington where he was serving in the U.S. Army. He served in WWII at various locations in the US and France, and during the Korean conflict. Five children were born to Tom and Thelma while living in Bowman: Tom, Lois, Carolyn, Richard, and Pam. The family was actively involved in the Bowman United Methodist Church.

In 1964, Tom moved his family to Tucson, Arizona where Tom completed his interrupted college education (which began in Santa Monica Community College, and the University of North Dakota) at the University of Arizona. He graduated with a BS in Business Administration, 1967.

After moves to St. Louis, MO, and St. Petersburg Beach, FL, he relocated to Denver, CO in July 1971 to work for the Small Business Administration (SBA). He continued with the SBA at locations in Raped City, SD, and then to Helena, MT in September, 1980. He retired in Sept, 1983. Tom continued to live in Helena until 2008 where they were members of the Covenant Methodist Church and had many wonderful friends.

His loving wife of 65 years, Thelma, died October 26, 2007. In 2008 he moved to Fargo to Bethany Homes, near his eldest daughter, Lois.

Tom loved traveling to warn, sunny areas, loved the beach, playing golf, as well as camping and fly fishing in Yellowstone in his younger days, and flying his private plane to warm locations. He was devoted to Scouts and the Shriners, the Chanters, and the Masons. He was a former member of the Bowman United Methodist Church. During the 50th anniversary of Bowman, he was president of the Chamber of Commerce.

He is predeceased by his wife, Thelma and his son, Richard, grandson Michael and granddaughter Megan McKennett, and great granddaughter Sophiah Mathis. Also predeceasing him are his brother-in-law, Edgar Pearson, and sister-in-law Opal Bloomgren, and son-in-law John Schneider.

He is survived by four children, Tom McKennett (Margie), Silver Spring, MD: Lois Schneider, Fargo, ND; Carolyn Whittle (Jeff), Kennett Square, PA; Pam O'Dell (Lundy), Cortland, OH, nine (9) grandchildren, and nineteen (19) great grandchildren, and brother-in-law, Ernest Bloomgren, and sister-in-law Dorothy Pearson, both of Bowman, ND.

His generosity, and happy disposition was appreciated by his family and friends. He was always thoughtful and wished his children "happy trails" as they went off on their adventures.

Tom's family wishes to thank the Bowman United Methodist Church and many friends for their support.