Thomas Darrell Bounds

BOUNDS,
THOMAS DARRELL, 81
Cohasset, MN, died Friday, October 29, 2010 at his home. Tom was born in 1929 to Orville and Ruby Bounds in Centralia, Illinois where he grew up and graduated from Centralia High School. His older brother, Billie Bounds died while serving in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War. Tom enlisted in the U. S. Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1948 after 4 years of active duty. He was admitted to Centralia Junior College where he played collegiate basketball. Upon graduation he entered the University of Illinois where he earned his Master's Degree in Social Work and met his wife, Suzanne Spink. They were wed in September of 1955. Tom joined the Northland Mental Health Center in 1959 and served as the Executive Director from 1973 to 1989. He served to play a major role in the community mental health movement in Minnesota, serving on a number of boards, and was a tireless advocate for the mentally ill. Tom lobbied in the state congress and provided expert testimony regarding legislation which increased opportunities for those with serious mental illness to receive services in their home communities. Tom was an instructor at Itasca Community College, where he enjoyed teaching Sociology. He also wrote a number of grants for Koochiching County Social Services, and served in the role of Quality Assurance Director for Itasca Medical Center during a pilot project. Tom served as the Executive Director of Minnesota National Alliance for Mental Illness for 2 years, and continued on as the Community Outreach Lead Staff for an additional 2 years. Besides his family, Tom loved his friends in Grand Rapids; Centralia, Illinois; and Ocala, Florida. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved golfing, hunting and his many beloved dogs. In celebration of Tom's life of service to others, memorials are preferred to the Itasca Hospice Foundation and the Minnesota-National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Tom is survived by: His Wife o 55 years - Suzanne "Sue" Bounds. His three children - Cheryl (Patrick) Bounds- Spellacy of Sartell, MN and their children, Peter (son,Kodiak) and Jenny Steven (Lynn) Bounds of Rochester, MN and their children, Brooke and Shea (Son, Kingston). Gregory Bounds of Hill City, MN and his children, Luke, Brandon, Gina, and Emily. Tom's first passion was always his family, followed by his many friends, and his work. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, Nov. 5th at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids. Rev, Mark Shuey will officiate. Inurnment will be the Christ Episcopal Church Columbarium in Grand Rapids. Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home and Crematory. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com