Tom Martin died on his 77th birthday on Dec. 4, 2017, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings.   

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Monday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m., with Father Terry Anderson officiating.  On Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m., a liturgical wake service will be held at the church, followed by visitation until 5 p.m. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Thomas More Catholic School, Jacks for Life, and the Martin Family Scholarship Fund Honoring Teachers.

Tom was born on Dec. 4, 1940, in Huron, to Clair and Mary Alice Martin.  He grew up with three brothers and one sister and attended St. Martins Catholic School for eight years and then attended and graduated from Huron High School.  After high school, he attended and graduated from Huron College with a BA in psychology.  He then attended the University of South Dakota Law School and graduated with honors. Immediately after law school, Tom joined William McCann, Esq., where he pursued a practice of general law. During his career, he also served for several years as an Assistant District Attorney for Brookings County and on various committees within the South Dakota State Bar Association.  He regularly served the community, including as the United Fund Chairman and in various roles for his church.

Tom married his wife, Judy, on June 6, 1964, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls.  Their annual anniversary tradition was to attend Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and enjoy dinner at their favorite restaurant in Sioux Falls. They were married for more than 53 years.

God’s greatest blessing to Tom and Judy was a family of six children – Suzanne (Donald), Jane, Laura (Mark), Patrick (Kirsten), Joe (Chin), and Michael – and twelve grandchildren – Lauran, Lincoln, Madison, Benjamin, Wilson, Connor, Peyton, Amelia, Joseph, Jack, Matthew, and Cora.  Providing for and encouraging them in their faith, education, and extracurricular activities was his greatest passion – one that he and Judy shared together to the very end.

 His favorite activities were spending time with his family, playing golf, reading about and advocating for various social concerns of the times, and ferociously cheering on the SDSU Jackrabbits and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.  

Tom is also survived by his three brothers and one sister – Joseph (Sandy), Eugene (Sandra), Robert (Deborah), and Patricia—with whom he shared many annual gatherings.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.