Thomas George Kingston

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Kingston, Thomas G. On the afternoon of Monday, September 26, 2016, Tom, age 92, of Anoka, MN, died of prostate cancer at his home with his loving wife, Velma, holding his hand. Tom was born on June 22, 1924, in Great Falls, MT, the son of Fred and Lucille Kingston. After graduation from Valier High School in 1941, Tom attended the National Defense School in Helena, MT, to study aircraft maintenance. On June 12, 1942, Tom enlisted in the Navy and was trained at the San Diego, CA Naval Sound School in SONAR; he was deployed to the Alaskan Aleutian Islands and the Philippines. Tom was honorably discharged on December 29, 1945. Following his initial military service, Tom enrolled at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree on June 10, 1950. Tom and Velma were married at the Fort Snelling Chapel, Minneapolis, MN on June 11, 1950. The Navy recalled Tom during the Korean War from September 29, 1950, to February 19, 1952, after which he returned to his career as an electrical engineer at Honeywell Aerospace. In 1971, Tom accepted a teaching position in electronics at the Anoka Technical College; he retired in 1984. Tom and Velma planted and operated a Christmas tree farm on their home place for many years. Hundreds of their beautifully shaped trees are still growing around Minnesota, a lasting tribute to Tom's affinity for nature. Tom particularly loved his woodworking shop on the farm, where he spent hours crafting furniture and grandfather clocks; many items were custom made 'from scratch' from his own harvested trees. He also found happiness in other pursuits: spending time at the cabin he built on Lake Pokegema, going on camping and hunting trips with family and friends and traveling the world with Velma. Tom liked to say, "I have completed a circle: I grew up on a chunk of poor rocky Montana farmland 7 miles north and 1/2 mile west of town. In retirement, our home is on a chunk of poor rocky Minnesota farmland 7 miles north and 1/2 mile west of town; but I love it and hope to stay here until I'm carried away." Tom met his goals: seeing his only granddaughter graduate from high school and start college, and to be at home on his last day of life. He will be missed by all of us. Preceded in death by his parents; Fred and Lucille and his siblings Florence and Fred Jr. Survived by his wife, Velma and his sons Thomas (Patricia) of Fergus Falls, MN, William (Nancy) of Ramsey, MN; and his daughters Kathleen (Scott Kisling) of Salt Lake City, UT, Christine and her daughter Sarah Horsman of Bloomington, MN, along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 11:00 am, Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 4th Avenue South, Anoka, MN, with visitation at 10:00 am, 1 hour prior to service. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to: Anoka Technical College Foundation, Tom Kingston Scholarship, 1355 West Highway 10, Anoka, MN 55303.

Published on October 2, 2016