The memorial service for Tracy A. Thoms, 71, of Austin, will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea. The Rev. Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont at 1 p.m. Friday. Friends may visit with family one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Tracy died on Saturday, April 9, 2011, in Austin.

He was born on June 15, 1939, in Fairmont, the son of Arnold L. and Maxine (Sterdavan) Thoms. He attended school in Fairmont and Whittier, Calif. He served our country in the U.S. Navy from October of 1960 until his honorable discharge in September of 1965. He was united in marriage to Judith Nutt on Jan. 25, 1959. To this union three children were born, Pamela, Todd and Lon. They were later divorced.

Tracy had worked as a federal meat inspector for more than 42 years before retiring. He enjoyed spending time with family especially his grandchildren. His hobbies included fishing, riding bike, hunting and reading. Throughout his life he had many faithful pet companions most recently his buddy “Saintly.”

He is survived by his children: daughter, Pamela Olson of Long Beach, Calif., son, Todd (Monty)Thoms and their children: Tabitha (Eric) Page and daughter, Ruby, and Trenton Thoms all of Glenville; son, Lon (Diane) Thoms of Albert Lea and children: Jarrod (Kimberly) Robran, Leah and Jackson of LeSueur, Jennifer Bute of New Orleans, La., Derek Bute of Albert Lea, Brandon Bratten (Kassie Reich) and daughter, Addison, of Austin; brothers and sisters: Juanita Goerndt of Fairmont, Mava (Curly) Hanson of Tucson, Ariz., Bonnie (Stan) Perry of Mountain View, Calif., William Thoms of Minneapolis and Al (Marcia) Thoms of Fairmont, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Vernon Goerndt.