John Thomas Kearns

John Thomas Kearns

SUPERIOR, Colo. - John Thomas Kearns "Tom Kearns," 73, of Superior, died March 4, 2012, at the Peaks Care Center in Longmont of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's after a long illness.

Tom was born Feb. 1, 1939, in Le Mars, Iowa, to John and Monica Kearns. He grew up in Huron, S.D., and graduated from Huron High School in 1957. He attended the University of South Dakota from 1957-1962 where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and graduated with a degree in Journalism. Tom was married to Sandra Goodell on Aug. 31, 1962, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Rapid City. Tom and Sandy decided to start a family and a son, Scott, was born in 1964 and a daughter, Pamela, was born in 1967.

Tom's radio career began in his hometown of Huron where he worked for the local radio station, KIJV, during his high school years doing sports play-by-play.

While attending the University of South Dakota, Tom continued to do play-by-play for KIJV and the University Of South Dakota Radio Station. While at the University, he became friends with Tom Brokaw.

After graduation, Tom worked at Western Life Insurance in the 1960s and did part-time radio work at KRSD in Rapid City. Tom and Sandy moved to Pierre in 1971 where Tom got back into radio working for KCCR. Tom and Sandy moved to Yankton in July of 1973 where Tom became General Manager of KYNT. He held that position for five years, after which he and his friend Tom Brokaw formed Tom Tom Communications and purchased KTOQ 1340 AM in Rapid City. Tom and Sandy moved to Rapid City in August 1978 to own and run KTOQ. In the early 1990s, Tom Tom Communications put KIQK 104 FM on the air in Rapid City.

In 1982, Tom was named South Dakota Broadcaster of the Year by the South Dakota Broadcasters Association. In 1995, Tom was honored by the Black Hills Chapter of the American Advertising Federation with the prestigious Silver Medal Award.

Tom was a Dale Carnegie instructor for many years, teaching the Dale Carnegie Human Relations Course, Sales Course and Management Course.

In 1997, Tom retired when Brokaw purchased his half of the company so that Tom could devote his time to Sandy and her battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Sandy lost her battle with Lou Gehrig's disease in September 1998.

Tom met Linda Christensen of Superior, Colo., and they were married Sept. 2, 2000. Tom moved to Superior, where Linda continued her career with Sisley and Tom retired.

Tom's passion outside of work and family was golf. He also enjoyed pheasant hunting, traveling and playing cards with friends.

Tom is survived by his wife, Linda Christensen Kearns, Superior; two children, John Scott Kearns, Corpus Christie, Texas, and Pamela Kearns Osborn, Olathe, Kan.; three stepchildren, Cindy Christensen Davis, Boulder, Julie Christensen Cyr, Louisville, and Todd Christensen, Oxford, England; two sisters, Mary Kay Costain, Champlin, Minn., and Joan King, Watertown, S.D.; five grandchildren, John Wayne Kearns, Rapid City, Macaela Kearns and Zachary Kearns, both of Corpus Christie, Megan Osborn and Matthew Osborn, both of Olathe; three stepgrandchildren, Olivia Davis, Boulder, Nicole Cyr and Tyler Cyr, both of Louisville; and a great-granddaughter due in July, Rapid City.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, John Richard Kearns; his mother, Monica Kearns; and his wife, Sandra Kearns.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Friday March 16, at Blessed Sacrament Church with the Rev. Tyler Dennis presiding. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Compassionate Hospice and Palliative Care, 11935 Quay St., Broomfield, CO 80020.

Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

His online guestbook is available to sign at www.osheimschmidt.com.