Thomas A. Nord

Thomas A. Nord, 94, of Pembina, ND passed away Monday, October 31, 2016 at his home. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 4, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pembina Lutheran Church, Pembina, ND. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, November 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thomas Arvil Nord was born July 28, 1922 at St. Thomas, ND to Henry and Tora (Anderson) Nord. Prior to his military service he worked as a farm laborer and lumberjack. Tom served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre. After his discharge from the service he attended school in Fargo, ND as a heavy equipment mechanic. He worked as a service agent for Dakota Tractor.
He started his career in the aviation business in 1952 taking flying lessons in Grafton, ND. While in Grafton he was in the Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol. In 1955, he started his own flying business at the Pembina Airport, which he ran until his retirement in 2000.
His piloting awards include: North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame 1997, State Soaring Record 1966 - still stands today, The Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award 2016 given by FAA. Tom was a member of the EAA, Quiet Birdmen, Soaring Society of America, Pembina Airport Authority.
On May 2, 1942, Tom married Jean E. Littlejohn at Robin, MN. She passed away June 18, 2010.
He is survived by his son, Terry Nord, Pembina, ND; grandchildren: Julie Nord, Las Vegas, NV, Justine Nord, San Diego, CA, great-granddaughter, Tara (John) Emerson; great-great grandchildren: Evan, Preston, Audrey, Isla; sisters: Aggie Barr, Osceola, WI, Beverly (Arlin) Lofthus, Burlington, IA.
Also preceding him in death were his parents; brothers: Henry, Benjamin, Raymond, and Gene Nord; sisters: Mildred Burger and Betty Burger.