In Memoriam~Thomas M. Atkins ’68

Thomas M. Atkins ’68
January 28, 1950 – November 8, 2024
Saint John’s Preparatory Regent and Board Chair

Thomas Michael Atkins, of Maple Grove, MN, passed away unexpectedly Friday, November 8, 2024.

Tom is preceded in death by parents Bob and Betty Atkins, sister Nancy Doerfler, and in- laws Gordon and Bernie Spooner. He is survived by his wife Jann; children Jeff (Tera) and Julie (Bob) Smith; grandchildren Evan (fiancé Emma), Landon, Colin, Owen, Wyatt, and Colton; his 4 siblings Terri, Joe, Chris, and Annette, and many other loving friends and family members.

Early Years

Tom was born on January 28, 1950, in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in southwest Minneapolis and attended Christ the King Catholic School. He often talked about the many sports he played and the miles he would ride his bike every day to do so. In 1965 his family moved to Brooklyn Park. Tom spent his high school years at Saint John’s Preparatory School (SJP) before studying at Saint John’s University and then graduating from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Math and Psychology.

Tom’s time at SJP, a school grounded in the Catholic Benedictine tradition, was monumental in shaping the man we know. He was a part of the first group of students that spent their junior year studying at Melk Abbey in Austria, which he often talked about as a life-changing experience. In his retirement, Tom’s heart for SJP led him to join the Board of Regents to support the work of the school. His devotion to the Benedictine values taught at SJP are a testament to Tom’s heart for Jesus and to his approach to life.

Career

After graduating from college, Tom started working in information technology, which quickly progressed into leadership and director positions. He then founded his consulting firm, working with numerous Fortune 500 companies focusing on strategic planning, operational leadership, and executive management. His straightforward approach to working with clients was one of his many strengths.

Family

In 1968, he met the love of his life, Jann Spooner, on a blind date, which quickly launched a journey to a blessed life together. Tom and Jann married on June 25, 1971, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Brooklyn Center. Interestingly, Tom helped build this church in a post-high school summer job. And later his children, Jeff and Julie, attended their grade school years at St. Al’s School.

Tom and Jann built a life and legacy together that will forever be cherished by their children. Jeff and Julie have many family memories from ski trips and traveling to Europe, to fun times at marching band competitions, dance recitals, soccer, and baseball games. Tom often stopped Jann, Jeff, and Julie to take the perfect picture or video to capture these moments, sometimes to the annoyance of his kids, who are now grateful for all the memories he helped to create.

Tom developed his videographer skills as each of his six grandsons came along. Throughout his 24 years as a grandpa, Tom enjoyed being part of all his grandson’s school, sports, and music events, as well as birthdays, holidays, and cabin weekends. As a recreational hockey player, Tom was thrilled to watch all his grandsons play hockey – the six often referred to as his “Double Hat Trick.” Many miles were clocked on Tom and Jann’s car (5,000 in 2019 alone) going to practices, games, and tournaments. You could always find Tom behind the glass, trying to capture videos of his grandsons and their teammates, always ready to share with players and their fans.

Travel

After his high school year in Austria and work career around the globe, Tom was inspired to travel the world with Jann. Starting with trips to visit Jeff and Julie in Europe during their college study abroad, Tom and Jann continued their travels with trips to Germany, Italy, Spain, Sicily, Malta, France, Ireland, the Caribbean, and many trips to Napa and Sonoma Valley. One of their most memorable trips was taking their family on an Alaskan cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary. Special highlights from these adventures include directing the “Beer Barrel Polka” at a Munich beer hall (Jeff’s doing), taking a thrilling ride through the Hallstadt Salt Mines in Austria, spending Christmas in Rome and New Year’s in Paris, and taking a day long cooking class in Italy including 7 bottles of wine; one that ended up in Tom’s lap!

Cabin

Tom and Jann spent much of their time at their log cabin home on Woman Lake in Longville, MN. The cabin was a labor of love for Tom as he honed in on the trade skills he learned from his dad to complete the inside. Later, Tom could be found enjoying the cabin and the peacefulness of the lake while reading and relaxing.

Lots of family weekends were spent at the cabin boating on the lake, water sports, Ranger rides, garage pickleball tournaments, and table games (note: while each grandson would say they are the best at any particular game, Tom would settle any arguments by making it clear that he was actually the best. Why? Because he always made the rules).

Faith

If there is one thing to remember about Tom, it is his devotion to Jesus. He spent each day in God’s word, soaked up the scholarly wisdom of the apostles and saints, shared his faith with his family, and truly walked in God’s guidance. While the holes in our hearts will never fully heal, we rest in knowing that he is walking side-by-side with Jesus–asking questions, telling stories, and sharing laughs with a full heart.

Remembrance

Visitation was at Kozlak-Radulovich Maple Grove Chapel on Sunday, November 17, 2024 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a time of remembrance and song around 6:00 p.m. Tom’s family wished this to be a gathering of celebration, connecting and storytelling of this amazing man.

Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Tom’s life was held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at Saint John’s Abbey Church in Collegeville, MN. Mass started at 1:30 p.m. with a visitation one-half hour before. Burial is at the Abbey Cemetery, with a reception to follow.

Saint John’s Prep Head of School Jon McGee shared memories and stories about Tom before the funeral Mass. Click here to read the eulogy,

In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family requests donations be made to St. John’s Preparatory School (sjprep.net/give/).

Our Prayer

Lord Jesus, please guide us and place your peace over us as we let go and remember Tom: Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Friend, and Devoted Follower of Christ.