Thomas W. Derrickson

March 18, 1952 – May 20, 2026
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Thomas William Derrickson, 74, of Townsend, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Known to nearly everyone simply as Tom, he was a beloved neighbor, trusted friend, and an irreplaceable fixture of the Townsend community. A man of strong convictions, open hands, and an ever-ready laugh, Tom leaves behind a legacy measured not in achievements, but in the countless lives he touched over his 74 years.


Tom was born on March 18, 1952, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Doris and William Derrickson. The oldest of four children, he grew up in a household that instilled in him the values of hard work, loyalty, and community — values he carried with him every day of his life.

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kim Derrickson. Her love was a cornerstone of his life, and those who knew them together understood the depth of what he carried in her absence. She remains forever in the hearts of all who loved them both.

He is survived by his three siblings: his sister Susan Peterson of De Pere; his brother Tim (Kerri) Derrickson of Atlanta, Georgia; and his sister Lori (David) Walker of Neenah, Wisconsin. He is also survived by his cherished best friend, Leslie Knopp, whose steadfast companionship meant the world to him. The Derrickson family was a close-knit one, and Tom treasured the bonds he shared with each of his siblings throughout his life.

Tom was also a devoted and proud uncle to his six nephews: Seth, Shane, Max, Jack, Will, and Alex. He delighted in watching them grow and never missed an opportunity to offer advice — whether it was asked for or not. Each of them will carry forward the warmth, humor, and fierce loyalty that defined their Uncle Tom.

Before The Sunset Bar, Tom built the foundation of his working life at Paper Converting in Green Bay, where he dedicated nearly 30 years of his career. He was not a man who sat on the sidelines — over the course of those years he rose to become president of the local union, advocating tirelessly for his fellow workers with the same passion and plain-spoken conviction that defined everything he did. It was a role that suited him perfectly: standing up for the people who needed a voice, making sure the little guy was heard. When that chapter of his life came to a close, Tom did what Tom always did — he looked for the next way to serve his community. He found it in Townsend, behind the bar of a place he could call his own.

For more than 20 years, if you were looking for Tom Derrickson, you knew exactly where to find him — behind the bar at The Sunset Bar in Townsend, the establishment he owned and operated with unmistakable pride and personality. Tom didn’t simply run a bar; he cultivated a gathering place. His regulars weren’t customers — they were family, drawn together by cold drinks, lively conversation, and the larger-than-life man at the center of it all.

The Sunset Bar became something of a community institution under Tom’s watch. He had a gift for making people feel at home, a talent for remembering your name, your drink, and whatever was weighing on you the last time you walked through the door. People came for the atmosphere and stayed for Tom.

He was never shy about sharing his opinions, a quality his friends admired and gently teased him about in equal measure. Tom had a particular tenderness for the underdog — for the person who wasn’t being heard, the cause that wasn’t getting attention, the neighbor who needed a hand. Whether it was a spirited debate at the bar or a quiet act of generosity no one else knew about, Tom always showed up with conviction and, above all, with heart.

Beyond the bar, Tom was a tireless volunteer and servant to the Townsend community he loved. He gave generously of his time to the local Fire, Police, and EMS Departments, where his dedication and reliability earned him the deep respect of those who served alongside him. For Tom, volunteering was never a burden — it was simply what neighbors did for one another.

He also served on the boards of several area recreational organizations, lending his voice and energy to groups centered around boating, snowmobiling, and other outdoor pursuits that define life in northern Wisconsin. Tom believed deeply in the quality of life in his community and did everything in his power to preserve and improve it. Those who served with him will remember a man who came prepared, spoke plainly, and always had the community’s best interests at heart.

In all things, Tom Derrickson showed up. He showed up for his family, for his friends, for his regulars, and for his town. That, perhaps more than anything else, is how he will be remembered.

“Strong opinions, open hands, and a barstool always ready for a friend.”

A Celebration of Life will be held on
Sunday, May 31, 2026
1:00 – 4:00 PM
The Sunset Bar • Townsend, Wisconsin

All are welcome. Come raise a glass to a man who made his corner of the world a little warmer.