Submitted by: Dan Rich
Thomas C. Thompson
March 4, 1958 - Jan. 30, 2008
South Bend Tribune 2/1/2008
OSCEOLA - Thomas C. Thompson, 49, passed away unexpectedly
Wednesday morning, January 30, 2008. Thomas was born March 4,
1958, in South Bend, to Jerry L. and Mary Lou Thompson. His was
preceded in death by his father Jerry on May 9, 2001.
On September 13, 1997, Tommy married the
former Susan Kaczynski, who survives. Also surviving Tommy
are his mother, Mary Lou Thompson of South Bend; a brother, Scott
(Susan) Thompson of Granger; a sister, Jennifer (Sterling) Leonard
of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; a brother, Patrick Thompson of
South Bend; a sister, Suellen Thompson of Mishawaka; a nephew,
Michael Thompson; and niece, Molly Thompson of Granger; and a
niece, Chloe Dubuisson of Pensacola, Florida. Also
surviving are his father and mother-in-law, Gene and Marlene
Kaczynski of South Bend; brother-in-law, Michael (Carla)
Kaczynski of Osceola; a sister-in-law, Judy Zehendner of
South Bend; nephews, Nicholas Kaczynski and Zachary Zehendner;
and nieces, Cassy and Keetsy Kaczynski.
Tommy was a loving, caring son, brother,
uncle and husband who was treasured by all who knew him. He
attended John Adams High School, and for many years worked in a
landscaping and snow removal business. A lifelong musician, Tommy
was a charismatic and talented singer, guitarist and songwriter
who fronted the popular local bands The Kinetics and The Benders.
Accompanied by his high school buddy Lee Madison on lead guitar,
The Kinetics were one of the most acclaimed bands ever to emerge
from this area. From 1983 to 1995, the group played everywhere
from Myrtle Beach to Milwaukee, headlining in clubs and theatres,
and opened shows for many major acts, including Blue Oyster Cult,
Foghat, Robin Trower, Mitch Ryder, Tommy James and The Romantics.
Since 1995 Tommy and Lee had fronted The Benders, a popular
fixture on the local music scene, playing an entertaining mix of
spirited, eclectic classic rock covers and Tommy's own original
songs, crafted in the rock-and-roll tradition of Chuck Berry and
John Fogerty. In addition to his music, Tommy loved the outdoors
and was an avid fisherman, often traveling to his favorite
locations with his good friend Tom McFarland. Tommy was also
well-known for his cooking talents: he created his own sauces,
and when combined with his specialties of shrimp, scallions,
jalapeno burgers and barbecue chicken wings, he had to field the
inevitable question from all of his guests: "Why don't you
open a restaurant?" His response was always: "That's
too much work!" In all situations, Tommy brought laughter,
joy and happiness to the lives of everyone he touched.
Family and friends are welcome to gather
from 2 to 8 PM this evening in the Palmer Funeral Home-River
Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Funeral services will be
held at 11 AM Saturday preceding burial at Fairview Cemetery in
Mishawaka. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made
to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Road,
Mishawaka, IN 46544.