Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson entered this world on October 23, 1947. He will be the first to tell you that he has yet to grow up, but he spent his childhood years in the small town of Langford, South Dakota. His father was a pastor, so he felt as if he knew just about everyone and had a very normal and safe childhood. He had one older sister and two younger sisters. As he tells it, he pretty much had to do all the work!

From a very young age, Mark learned to read and thoroughly enjoyed it. He never really liked to play games, but occupied his time playing with the authentic metal John Deere farm equipment, not the plastic stuff. As he grew, he enjoyed baseball and even played baseball and basketball in school. He had dreams of becoming a basketball star or a teacher in his future. His favorite baseball team was the New York Yankees. He collected baseball cards and even owned an official Mickey Mantle baseball card, until his mom threw it away!

Mark cannot recall having vey many hard times in his life, except having polio. He and his dad actually had the disease at the same time in the 1950’s. He was very lucky and had wonderful role models in his parents and his Uncle Carl, who he spent time with at Groton, S.D. Uncle Carl was also a pastor and was not married, so meals were a treat as they went out to restaurants anytime he got to stay there. Uncle Carl also gave him his first pellet gun and age 10.

Mark went to school in Langford. His favorite subject was history and he graduated from high school in 1965. Throughout his high school years, he worked as a camp counselor at NeSoDak. He went on to Augustana College in 1969 where he earned a degree in history and political science. He also taught swimming lessons at the YMCA. He made one of his childhood dreams come true and became a teacher in Salem where he taught 7th and 8th Social Studies and elementary P.E. for five years.

Mark credits his most memorable moment in his life to the moment in 1970 when his lovely wife, Bonnie, agreed to marry him. It was the most important question he’s ever asked and certainly one of the most exciting adventures he’s taken, even with all the camping and pheasant hunting he has done. Together, they had three sons who live in Lemmon, S.D., Laurel, M.T., and Germany. He has five grandsons and one granddaughter.

Following his teaching career, Mark worked for about three years at Outlaw Ranch in 1973 and also served as a carpenter until he took on his current position as facilities manager at Outlaw Ranch here in Custer, S.D. in 1986. He attributes his inspiration for working at Outlaw Ranch to Mohammed Ali who said, “Service to others is the rent we pay for living on Earth.” He truly enjoys the chance to serve others, meeting new people, and helping people discover their God-given talents. He encourages everyone to share their gifts with others.

Mark enjoys traveling in his spare time and loves to be in the mountains, especially the Tetons in Wyoming and the Redwood Forests in California. He hopes to still visit Alaska, the Everglades, the New England states, and Germany in the future. He loves to read to this day and especially enjoys nonfiction, autobiographies, current events, and National Geographic magazines. He also enjoys taking pictures of the wildlife in the Black Hills and listening to the Beach Boys, Beatles, and John Denver.

Mark’s number one goal in life is to make a difference. He reminds us that even one small act can change someone’s life. His dad always told him to “Keep looking up,” so those are his words of wisdom for us. If we share our gifts and listen to others, we CAN make a difference! Oh, and don’t forget…life is better with bacon and ice cream!