In Memoriam: Gordon Thomsen

Gordon Thomsen, the founder of Trail King Industries, died in August due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 89.

He will be remembered for his business acumen, sense of humor, and generosity.

Thomsen was raised on a family farm in Iowa and moved to Mitchell, S.D., in 1969. In 1974, he founded Western Ag Sales, which sold trailers and ag equipment out of Thomsen’s home. By 1983, the company acquired the Trail King line of trailers. That’s when it changed its name to Trail King Industries and refocused exclusively on trailer manufacturing.

Today, Trail King’s South Dakota facility stands at 295,000 square feet and employs more than 450 people.

Thomsen sold Trail King in 1995. He and his family maintained interest in other projects, including various businesses and philanthropic endeavors. He donated nearly $1 million to Mitchell’s Prehistoric Indian Village.

Son Jerry Thomsen said the businesses and philanthropy are a sign of his father’s love for the community.

“My dad had just a huge passion for helping develop Mitchell in general and the community,” he said. “This is and always will be home.”

Source: Forum News Service