James “Ken” Thomson 10/23/2024

James Keneth “Ken” Thomson, 82, died peacefully with family members at his bedside on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 at the Legacy Pines Assisted Living residence in New Richmond, WI.

Formerly of Wadsworth, IL, Ken was the director of Pfansteihl Laboratories in Waukegan for over 40 years. He was born in Tarkio, MO in 1942 and received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Tarkio College. He received a PhD in organic chemistry from The Ohio State University, where he met his future wife, Margaret Susan “Sue” Stanbro.

Ken and Sue were married in Marion, OH on June 17, 1967 and their first child, Sarah, was born in Columbus. They moved from Ohio to College Station, TX the following year, where Ken completed his postdoc at Texas A&M. After his college work, the couple moved to Winthrop Harbor, IL and later to Wadsworth, where they lived for the next four decades and where their children Amanda and Brian were also born.

In addition to being an accomplished chemist, Ken was a voracious reader, as was his wife. They could often be found sitting next to one another in the evenings, each engrossed in a book. Ken planted a huge garden every summer, and he and Sue processed and canned vegetables each fall. For many years, they also participated in a gourmet progressive dinner club and enjoyed taking turns cooking for and hosting the group. Ken would take fishing trips to Canada each summer with his work buddies and always came back with fish stories.

In his free time Ken enjoyed working with stained glass and made many gifts for family and friends. He was also known for his special peanut brittle recipe, which he loved to make as gifts for everyone at Christmas. After retirement, Ken surprised many who knew him when he bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle, which he enjoyed riding with other retirees. A gentle, hard-working man, he always took the time to help others whenever he could.

Ken is survived by his daughters Sarah Thomson (Travis Hayden) of Clear Lake, WI and Amanda (Steve) Urizar of Antioch, IL; son Brian of Oak Park, IL; grandsons Nathan Stockman and James Urizar; granddaughters Marissa Stockman, Isabel Urizar and Kaitlyn Urizar; step-grandchildren Ryan, Aaron and Kellyn Hayden; sisters Jeanette Pickerel and Ruthanne Berlin; sister-in-law Sarah (Stanbro) Ortman, plus many nieces and nephews.

Ken was proceeded in death by his wife of 48 years Margaret Susan (Stanbro) Thomson, his parents Ernest and Mary K. Thomson, and brothers Dean and Dale Thomson.

The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at Legacy Pines Assisted Living in New Richmond, WI. Visitation was held at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL on Friday, Nov. 1 from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. http://www.alz.org.  Cremation provided by Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.