Thomas John Dempsey

Thomas John Dempsey passed away on April 4, 2020 in the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic. He was born on January 12, 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to LaVerne Sorce and Huey Silas Dempsey. He and his parents moved to San Diego County, California, when Tom was 4 months old. He grew up in a small beach town called Encinitas which he considers his hometown.

From an early age, Tom was encouraged to be a normal child. His parents taught him that he could do anything anyone else did. He may have to do it differently, but he could do it His father’s mantra was “There is no such word as can’t!” as he thumped Tom on his head whenever he used the word. Tom lived with this mantra for the rest of his life and taught it to his children, friends, the many young athletes he mentored; he lived it.

Tom showed signs of becoming an athlete when he began playing Little League baseball, he excelled as a pitcher and a homerun hitter. His first coaching experience was coaching that same Little League team with his old coach who became a lifelong friend.

At San Dieguito High School, Tom played football for the first time. He played both ways on the offensive line and defensive line. He began making a name for himself in Southern California. He continued his education and football on a scholarship to Palomar College in San Marcos, California. It was at Palomar that Tom began kicking.

Tom signed with the Green Bay Packers in 1967 as an offensive lineman–kicker. The Packers sent him to their farm team (yes, there used to be such a thing) in Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell Giants. He often said that was the best time he ever had playing football. They played whatever position was necessary.

The next season, he went back to San Diego and spent 1968 on the Chargers taxi squad as their back-up kicker. He had been kicking barefoot all this time, so Coach Sid Gilman sent him to an orthopaedist who created the all leather shoe (no metal) . For the rest of his career, he received 2 kicking shoes a season from this master orthopaedist.

The New Orleans Saints were in San Diego for preseason training in 1969. Coach Tom Fears was looking for a kicker and since Coach Gilman had two, he asked Tom if he wanted to try out. Tom made the Saints team and in 1970 kicked a 63 yard field goal in Tulane Stadium to set a record that stood for over 40 years, beating the old record, 56 yards, set by Bert Rechichar in 1953 for the Baltimore Colts. Tom ended up spending 13 years and 6 teams in the NFL from Green Bay to Buffalo.

Upon retirement, Tom, his wife Carlene, and children moved back to New Orleans to begin a normal life. Tom worked in the “Oil Patch” and then the car business for Intelysis until his 2nd retirement in 2008. Tom became very involved in coaching and mentoring many boys and girls for the next 30 years. Tom touched many lives and will be fondly remembered for his stories and “Tomisms” as his family, friends, and players called them which always brought smiles and laughter.

He always said his greatest accomplishments were his children; Thomas (Toby) Baker Dempsey (Pamela), Ashley Pearson Dempsey, and Meghan Dempsey Crosby (Lee) and his wonderful grandchildren; Dylan Thomas, Logan Frances, and Quinn Thomas Dempsey. He is also survived by his best friend and wife of 50 years, Carlene, sister Jan Dempsey MacArthur (Shawn), and nieces and nephews ( Jessica (Lee), Tony (Arianna) Raina,, Jennifer, Aaron, Hunter (Madyson), Bennett.

It has been 2 years since we lost Tom. Finally, we are able to have closure. We will always be grateful to all the third floor nurses, staff, and administration of Lambeth House, especially Allison, for their dedicated attention and care, kindness and love during Tom’s time there. They kept us calm and sane during a time we didn’t always understand. And they kept Tom happy and loved. We couldn’t ask for more.

Thanks to Dr. Daniel Amen in California who pointed us in the right direction in the first place. Thanks to the the staff at Tulane Institute Of Sports Medicine for helping us start the ball rolling here in New Orleans.

Thanks to Dr. Raoul P. Rodriguez and his wonderful orthopedic staff at Tulane Medical Center who were always there whenever Tom needed them with, not only their exceptional skills, but with words of encouragement, kindness, compassion, and, yes, lots of laughter.

Friends and family are invited to Tom’s Celebration of Life at Southport Hall located at 200 Monticello Avenue, Jefferson, LA 70121, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 15, 2022. The memorial service will begin at 2:00 PM followed by the celebration.