Des Champs, Thomas G. Born in Alpena, MI on Sept. 5, 1953 and passed away on Sept. 24, 2015 from a brave and courageous fight with parotid gland cancer. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Thomas married Lynette on Sept. 20, 1991. They were best friends throughout 24 extraordinary years of marriage. Tom (Thomas) is survived by his wife, Lyn (Lynette); sons, Israel, Seth, Aaron and bonus daughter, Amy (James) and grandchildren, Justice, Autumn and Liam. Preceded in death by parents, Frances A. & Dorothy L. Des Champs. He is also survived by his brothers & sisters, Dot (Larrie), Spike (Barb), Donna (Jerry), Mary Ellen (Tom) and Bill (Trudy); Daun Schaff (girlfriend of Seth); many loving nieces, nephews, family & friends. Tom was a Navy veteran and former VFW Post Commander at Charles Knaeble Post #494 in Crystal, MN. He had a great love for his family and was an avid hunter. From a young age he learned to enjoy the great outdoors with his dad and throughout life he loved looking for the "Big Buck" of the hunting season. Special thanks to the U of M Hospital-Mpls, U of M Cancer Care -Maple Grove, Fairview Northland Hospice and Fairview Northland Hospital of Princeton, MN, and the VA of St. Cloud. Celebration of Life Service at 5:30 PM Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Cremation Society of MN, 7835 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park (763-560-3100) with visitation 1 hour before service. Tom's final resting place will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at 1:45 PM Friday, Oct. 16. cremationsocietyofmn.com