Gerard Bixby "Jerry" Thompson

June 9, 1944 - April 8, 2026

Gerard Bixby ("Jerry" or "Gerhardt"), age 81, passed away peacefully on April 8th after a 5-year Journey with Alzheimer's. His wife of 53 years, Suzann (King) was faithfully at his side for his last moments. He is survived by Suzann; daughter Jennifer (Ryan) Horstman; son Christopher (Erin) Thompson; granddaughter's Hannah and Abi Sherman, Leelu Thompson and Sylvia Horstman. He was proceeded in death by his parents Gerard Avery and Florence Sylvia (Thurber) Thompson. 

Jerry was born June 9, 1944, in Minneapolis and grew up on Salem Avenue in St. Louis Park, graduating in 1962. In his youth, he enjoyed hockey and golf. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1968 with a degree in history.

He began his career with IBM in the office products division, where his 15-year tenure took him to Dallas, Hong Kong, and Anchorage. He met the love of his life, Suzann, at a party and knew immediately she was his soulmate. Their whirlwind romance led to a short engagement and moves to Dallas and Anchorage before eventually returning to Dallas, where Jennifer and Christopher were born. In 1979, they returned home to Minneapolis.

In 1981, Jerry co-founded BMS Computer and AV Rentals. He and Suzann ran the company together until 2008, when they retired and passed it on to their son Christopher.

In retirement, Jerry and Suzann spent winters in Arizona, where he played golf daily, and summers in Minnesota at the cabin. He loved hunting, fishing, golfing, and tinkering in the garage. A devoted "Papa T," he cherished time with his granddaughters, enjoyed games of cribbage and giving his signature head scratches. He never met a golf shirt or Land's End sweater he didn't love.

Jerry was also an avid dog lover, with special devotion to McKinley, Woofer, Ginger, Kouba, Sully and Bailey.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be held Friday, April 24, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church in Deephaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association in Jerry's memory. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Mercy Hospital and Elysian Shores for their compassionate care in his final months.

https://www.huberfunerals.com/memorials/gerard-thompson/5703377/