by Dennis Dalman
Fond, fun, happy memories of Tom Bearson surfaced repeatedly during the first annual Tom Bearson Foundation event last Saturday at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell.
More than 300 people attended and/or contributed to the event.
The golf day, dinner and musical evening were ways to honor the memory of Bearson and to raise funds in his name to promote gym space for youth involved in basketball and other activities, to promote campus-safety awareness and to fund four annual scholarships for two boys and girls at Sartell High School in recognition of their academic and athletic achievements.
Bearson died last September in the Fargo-Moorhead area. A student at North Dakota State University, Fargo, he went missing early one morning. After a massive search, his body was found in Moorhead three days later, the victim of a murder, which is yet unsolved. Bearson, 18, was a topnotch high-school basketball player, known for his sense of humor, his winning charm and his ability to make friends.
He is the son of Greg and Debbie Bearson of Sartell and the brother of Maddie Bearson.
At Blackberry Ridge Golf Course, dozens of yellow balloons were tethered to golf carts. People wrote messages in memory of Tom on the balloons, then later they were released into the air.
Greg and Debbie Bearson said they have been very moved by the community support their family received following their son’s tragic death. That kind of heartwarming support, Debbie said, was “beyond our wildest dreams. Greg agreed, saying widespread support has been overwhelming, to a humbling degree.
Setting up the Tom Bearson Foundation along with others, the Bearsons said, have given them a source of positive strength and purpose after the months of sadness and grieving.
They also praised the board members of the foundation, the 50 or so sponsoring companies, families and individuals who helped make the golf-and-dinner event a success.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Debbie said. “It’s wonderful to see you all here.”
Then Greg addressed the participants:
“For those of you who knew Tommy B., we know he would want you to have a great time today. We know that he is with us today in spirit.”
Those who want to donate to the Tom Bearson Foundation may do so by visiting www.tombearson.org and clicking on the “Donate” button.