Timothy "Tim" Bourdon

Timothy Craig Bourdon, 75, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Savior on December 31, 2024, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born July 30, 1949, in New Rockford, North Dakota to Francis and Marjorie Bourdon, Tim was the oldest of three children. Raised in Fargo, Tim was drawn to athletics, particularly swimming, and he worked as a lifeguard at the Harry Howland Swimming Pool in his younger years.

Tim graduated from Fargo North High School and attended North Dakota State University where he was a member of the first NDSU men’s swim team and where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Callahan. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, Tim held several teaching and coaching positions, including serving as a teacher and swimming coach at Shanley High School and a swimming coach and Aquatic Director at Mandan High School (where he received the North Dakota High School Coach of the Year award for Boys’ Swimming & Diving – Class A). Tim eventually moved into Director-level positions and held many prominent positions in the Fargo-Moorhead area, including Executive Director of Team Makers, the national fundraising arm for NDSU athletics; Assistant Athletic Director for NDSU; and the Financial Development Director for the Fargo-Moorhead YMCA.

But among all his positions, Tim’s favorite roles were husband and father – he married Kathleen Callahan in 1971 and together they raised their three sons (Riley, Nick, and Louie) in Fargo where they were actively involved in the community through church and athletics. This joyful and busy chapter was marked with fond memories of the boys running around the old Bison Sports Arena before and after games, playing golf at the Oxbow Country Club and Fargo Country Club, and driving to Chicago for Cubs baseball games.

In addition, Tim was blessed with countless lifelong friends who were like family to him. After moving to “beautiful Lake Melissa” in Detroit Lakes, he loved meeting friends at the Hotel Shoreham, playing golf at the Detroit Country Club (and organizing Saturday morning tee times), and throwing his famous burger parties. He cherished his years living on Lake Melissa where a flank steak dinner followed by a pontoon ride at sunset was what he considered perfect.

Tim appreciated the simple things in life: family, friends, sports, storytelling. He had a great love for golf and football, especially the Bison. Tim was known for his confidence, his wry humor, and his ability to connect with people. As a beloved and well-recognized fixture of the Fargo community, Tim was a “stranger to none” – there wasn’t an establishment that he could walk into without knowing someone or being recognized. He had a knack for being able to connect with people from all walks of life through simple conversation.

Tim’s prize was his bride of 53 years, who he affectionately called “Kutzy;” his pride was his three sons, of whom he was equally proud of their unique talents and life paths; and his delight was his five “grandbabies.” Matthew 6:21 reads, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Tim’s treasure was in people and his relationships with them. Tim taught us all to love many and to love deeply. We know that Tim is now shaking hands and telling stories with a new and yet familiar crowd. Fairways and greens, my friend…until we meet again.

Tim is survived by his devoted wife Kathy; siblings Mark (Pam) Bourdon and Michelle (Hugh) McDonald; sons Riley Bourdon, Nick (Cassie) Bourdon, and Louie (Leslie) Bourdon; grandchildren Dominick, Davis, Marly, Lake, and Isaac; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Marjorie.