Thomas Marshall Thompson

Dr. Thomas Marshall Thompson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and pastor to many, went home to be with the Lord on January 27, 2026, after a long and faithful life of service. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 28, 1926, he was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor B. and Thomas I. Thompson, sister, Muriel E. Johnston, brother, Dr. Neal P. Thompson, and by his beloved wife, Marcia Jean (VanderMolen) Thompson.

He trusted in Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of six years and enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Brooklyn. Then as a young man he proudly served his country in the United States Naval Air Corps. Tom graduated from Wheaton College (IL) in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Economic Theory.

While at Wheaton College, Tom met Marcia, the love of his life and faithful ministry partner. They were united in marriage on June 16,1950, in Muskegon, Michigan and enjoyed nearly 65 years together.

After a few years in the corporate world, Tom and Marcia moved to Dallas where he enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Theology with honors. He later earned a Master of Education from Boston State College and a Doctorate of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Tom pastored churches across the country, from Austin, TX to Waltham, MA to Barrington, IL and beyond. He was the founding pastor of Faith Evangelical Free Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He also served as a pastoral counselor at Live the Word (formerly The Art of Family Living) in Dallas and Colorado Springs. He was proud to be the co-author of the book Forgive and Love Again.

A quintessential evangelist, Tom’s life was marked by a deep desire to share God's Word and God's love with everyone the Lord would bring across his path. He spent the final years of his life at St. Joseph’s Village in Coppell, TX, where he was privileged to lead the Interdenominational Chapel Service and serve as chaplain of the Veterans Association. He was infamously gregarious, and his decade at St. Joseph’s generously added to the bounty of his friendships.

Tom’s favorite verse was "The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of trouble. And He knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1.7).” And he held fast to this promise throughout his final days. He is survived by three children: Teri Nieder (John) of Dallas, Randall (Geri) of Phoenix, and Ronald of Colorado, 11 grandchildren, and a multitude of great-grandchildren - all of whom were a great joy to him.

Services with full military honors were held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Live the Word, Box 1729, Coppell, TX 75019.