Roy Edward Thomson

Laverne, ND

1940, 762, Custer, F-12, Second Cook, Army

In Loving Memory of Roy Edward Thomson (October 24, 1921 - April 20, 2017)

Roy Edward Thomson, a decorated World War II veteran and dedicated lifelong public servant, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in Oakdale, Minnesota, surrounded by his loved ones.

Born in Hope, North Dakota, to James and Orabell Thomson, Roy was raised in a large, hardworking household. In 1939, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Custer, South Dakota, discovery a lifelong passion for federal land stewardship and meeting his beloved future wife, Evelyn.

Following the events of Pearl Harbor, Roy bravely answered the call to duty by enlisting in the U.S. Army. As a proud member of the 62nd Armored Field Battalion, he fought heroically across North Africa and Sicily before landing on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. He marched with Allied forces through France, Belgium, and Germany, earning distinction for his valor.

Upon returning home, Roy channeled his leadership skills into a multi-decade career as an Administrative Officer with the U.S. Forest Service. He leaves behind an indelible impact on federal land conservation, most notably through his foundational work preserving the pristine wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming.

In his retirement, Roy relocated to Minnesota to spend his golden years close to family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings. He lives on in the memory of his devoted children, Lyn Foley of Oakdale, Minnesota, and Neil Thomson of Denver, Colorado, alongside his two grandchildren and a community of grateful forestry peers.

Roy's name is permanently enshrined at the Forest Service Memorial Grove in Colorado.

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