Lt. Col (Ret.) Thomas Lee Nystrom, 84, of South Ogden, Utah, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 26, 2026 due to Parkinson’s Disease.

Tom was born on February 24, 1942 in Aberdeen, SD. His father, Lt. Col. Keith Nystrom, was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force meaning Tom called many places home during his childhood. He spent his early years in Mobridge, SD, the hometown of his mother, Rose Keller Nystrom. After being stationed at many Air Force assignments across Alabama, Mississippi, and other locales, he ultimately graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, NE. Tom went on to study Economics at the University of Nebraska where he was a varsity gymnast and a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He later received a M.B.A. degree from the University of Southern California.

In 1968, he married Linda Smith, who he had met while they were both students at the University of Nebraska. Tom and Linda were married for 58 years and were nearly inseparable. They are the loving parents of two daughters, Hillary and Brittney.

Tom proudly served his country for 26 years as a member of the U.S. Air Force, including a 13-month deployment to Vietnam. He and Linda enjoyed being stationed in Hawaii, Ohio, and Utah throughout his active-duty military career. He retired in 1991 after serving as the chief of the Hill A.F.B. Command Post.

After his retirement, Tom worked as a tax preparer for H&R Block in Ogden. He also volunteered countless hours with SHARE Inc., Good Samaritans, and the Holy Family Catholic Church community. Tom was an avid and decorated athlete, logging thousands of hours in the racquetball court, on the baseball diamond and ski slopes, and perfecting crazy dives at the swimming pool. For decades he was a fixture on racquetball courts in Ohio and Utah, including multiple appearances at the Huntsman World Senior Games. He loved coaching his daughters and grandchildren, golfing and playing poker with friends, and anything having to do with his beloved Notre Dame football team. His sense of humor, big heart, and devoted friendship will be profoundly missed.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who were like siblings to him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, daughters Hillary Hinkson (Anstey) and Brittney Nystrom (Patrick Rog), and 4 grandchildren: Kamden Hinkson, Keller Hinkson, Sasha Rog, and Genevieve Rog.

A rosary prayer service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 E 5550 S, Ogden, on September 11, 2026 at 10:15 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic Community Services of Utah.