Thomas Lynn Hallstrom, Ed.D.
January 5, 1927 – February 18, 2023
Tom Hallstrom was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was an outstanding educator and administrator with Omaha Public Schools (OPS) for many years.
Tom was born January 5, 1927, in Avoca, Nebraska, where he grew up with his parents, Elmer and Vera (Propst) Hallstrom, sister Corrine, and brothers Bob and Jack. His Avoca High School basketball team went to the State Basketball Tournament. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He served as a Yeoman on the USS Harris in the South Pacific during WWII, then Japan after the Surrender.
On his return, he enrolled at Peru State College, where he met his future wife, Dorothy Ann Maynard. They married in Wahoo, Nebraska, on June 12, 1949. They then began their loving marriage spanning 73 years! To this union were born two children, Thomas Lynn Jr and Susan Jo.
Tom received his Master’s (1955) and Doctorate of Education (1965) from Colorado State College, now the University of Northern Colorado. He had a long 39-year career with Omaha Public Schools. First as a PE Teacher, then as PE Supervisor, but mostly as a Coordinator of Physical Education and Athletics. He successfully launched and led the effort to bring the State High School Track Meet to Omaha, where, for 5 decades, countless numbers of Nebraskans have come together to enjoy each year. Together with OPS associates, they created a model to run the meet that is basically still being used today. From his first day on the job as a traveling PE Teacher doing the “Hokey Pokey” with grade school kids to his last as Coordinator overseeing it all, Tom truly loved his work and those that shared his journey.
Dr. Hallstrom was Inducted into the OPS Sports Hall of Fame, Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Hall of Fame (2012), and as a member of the 1948 basketball team (20W-3L and the NAIB National Final Four), was inducted with teammates into the Peru State College Hall of Fame. Upon their retirement from OPS, Tom, with his loving wife Dorothy, traveled to every U.S. state and 43 foreign countries.
Of utmost importance, even while enduring severe ‘end-of-life’ physical and emotional pain, Thomas Lynn Hallstrom, as a Christian, remained 100% faithful to God!
VISITATION: Friday, February 24th, 9:30AM at West Center Chapel with a MEMORIAL SERVICE at 10:30AM. Luncheon will immediately follow the service in the Community Room. Private interment at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Nebraska Educational Public Television Station for the Dr. Tom and Dorothy Athletic Foundation, created by son Tom Jr. many years ago and dedicated to the perpetual televising of the Girls and Boys State Basketball Tournament Championships.
To view a live broadcast of the memorial service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and press the “View Live Cast” button on the top of the homepage.
4 Comments
We. are so sorry for your loss. Tom touched so many lives including mine. So many fond memories growing up. I always held Tom with the upmost respect and will always miss him but have some fond memories of our time together. With love, Mike and Nancy Rydberg
Tom hired me as Physical Education teacher in 1966, Tom was the respected head of the department, very progressive in his future of physical education and athletics, Many programs were developed during his tenure, He. w as a pleasure to work for, & later became a good friend. He has completed his journey in life to the utmost.
My condolences to Tom’s family. For the past two years we have held prayer services where he lived out his final years. Each month, my heart was touched my heart to see Tom and Dorothy holding hands in the front row. Tom especially sang out the Christmas carols. His love of God and family stood out for me. I believe he would agree with Dorothy, when she said that 73 years of marriage was not enough. Their love will live on forever.
Sue. I’m very sorry to hear about your Father. He was a very special and productive individual. I was able to get to know him and your mom years ago when I put in their lawn sprinklers system.
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