Thomas Nathan Everson, 74, of Rochester, Minn., passed on to the next life to be with his Lord Sept. 24, 2014 at his home, after a nearly year-long fight with cancer. He was born Jan. 26, 1940, in Slayton, to Rev. Harold Everson ’29 and Alfhild Boe Everson ’28.

Tom moved with his family to Dawson, Minn., and later to Zumbrota, Minn., where he graduated from high school in 1958. He went on to attend St. Olaf College, where he graduated in 1962 with a B.A. degree in English education. While at St. Olaf, he sang in the Viking Male Chorus, and played football and baseball. He was elected co-captain of the football and baseball teams his senior year. In pursuit of his master’s degree, he attended classes at the University of Minnesota, Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., Bemidji State, and in 1969, he finished his MST degree in English education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

His English teaching/coaching career began in Madison, Minn., in the fall of 1962. He married his college sweetheart, Mary Ellen Davies Everson ’63, in Jackson, Minn., on June 15, 1963. While she was teaching in Minnetonka, Minn., Tom enrolled in graduate school at the University of Minnesota. He then took a teaching/coaching position in Columbia Heights, Minn., where he taught English and coached football and baseball at Columbia Jr. High School until 1970. He and his family then moved to Rochester, where he accepted a teaching/coaching position at John Marshall High School. He taught high school English and coached football and baseball at JM until his retirement in 1998.

In retirement, Tom kept active teaching in the JM Alternative Ed. Program, and substitute teaching in Rochester, Pine Island, Minn., and Zumbrota. He also was a longtime driver for Gold Crown Limousine Co. in Rochester, and was the site manager for the Rotary Basketball Tournament for 12 years. He also enjoyed his volunteer baseball coaching in Pine Island for five years. He was a life-long sports enthusiast, and in addition to his coaching career, he enjoyed TV sports programs and especially, the Gophers, Twins, Vikings, and small college and high school sports. He was a lifetime member of the Minnesota and State High School Baseball Coaches Associations, the State and National Education Associations, and a longtime member of the Rochester Downtown Quarterbacks Club.

For most of his life, Tom enjoyed the beauty of Lake Kabekona in northern Minnesota near Walker. The family cabin was built the same year Tom was born and he never missed visiting at least once per summer in his 74 years. It was clearly his favorite vacation spot. The family gatherings, trees, lake, breeze, fresh air, and sunsets all gave an appreciation for God’s creation and greatness. Fishing, hiking, reading, and visiting were activities enjoyed at the cabin throughout the years.

His life was a testimony to the grace of God through his Lord Jesus Christ. Tom grew up in the Lutheran church and was a member of Gloria Dei since coming to Rochester. He served on numerous church boards, was active in Men’s Bible study, and with his wife, Mary, sang in the church choir.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Mary; son, Dave Everson and wife Barb and grandchildren, Abbey and Luke; daughter, Laura Everson ’91; four brothers, Harold Everson ’55 and wife Dorothy Froyum Everson ’54, Hildegarde Everson Vallevand, A. Joseph Everson ’59 and wife Susan Corey Everson ’61, Arne Everson ’66 and wife Ellen, and John Everson ’69 and wife Mary; and 10 nieces and nephews, including Paul Everson ’87, Sarah Everson ’93, Peter Everson ’03, and Viem Hong ’88. Tom was preceded in death by parents, Rev. Harold and Alfhild Boe Everson, and brothers-in-law, Art Vallevand and Richard Davies ’61. Memorials are suggested to JM High School, St. Olaf College Athletic Departments, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, or Mayo Clinic Cancer Research.