Thomas “Tom” Henry Lawrence Obituary, SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Thomas “Tom” Henry Lawrence, a longtime South Dakota journalist and co-founder of The South Dakota Standard, died on August 21, 2026, from stage four pancreatic cancer. He was 68.
Lawrence was born in Brookings, South Dakota, on August 20, 1958, to Marcella (Lavin) and Vernon Lawrence Sr. He was the fourth of seven children and spent his early years in Brookings before his family moved to the Lawrence family farm near Estelline. He graduated from Estelline High School in May 1976.
His early life on the family farm included learning the demanding work of dairy farming and caring for his own cows before he left for college. Lawrence attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, where he studied journalism and history and began his journalism career with the SDSU Collegian.
Over the course of his career, Lawrence worked for newspapers in several parts of the United States and built a reputation for political and community reporting. He was particularly proud of earning bylines in The New York Times, the London Telegraph and The Daily Beast. He also co-founded The South Dakota Standard and received numerous honors for his writing, including three national journalism awards. While working in Montana, he wrote the book Pictures, a Park and a Pulitzer.
Lawrence interviewed local, state and national politicians as well as community leaders throughout his career. His work also brought him opportunities to interview celebrities, including Jay Leno and James Doohan, known for playing Scotty in Star Trek. Those experiences became part of the stories and memories he shared with friends and family.
Beyond journalism, Lawrence loved politics, sports and people. He continued playing on a softball team until recently and was an avid supporter of the San Francisco Giants, the Kansas City Chiefs and the SDSU Jackrabbits. His family also remembered his warm heart, humor, political intensity and his ability to turn historical events into entertaining and educational conversations.
Lawrence is survived by his longtime partner, Grace Stark, with whom he shared 10 years, as well as Grace’s children, Bynxy (Theo) and Myden (Abby), and grandchildren Ivo and Vera. He is also survived by his brother Chad; sisters Julie (Anthony), Mary (Kevin) and Debbie (Larry); nieces and nephews; cousins; and numerous friends, including Ray Oines, whom he had known since third grade. He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Vern, older sister Anita, her husband Richard, and nephew Les.
A celebration of life for Lawrence is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S. Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He leaves behind a lasting body of journalism, memories shared with those who knew him and a legacy as a journalist who cared deeply about South Dakota, politics, sports and the people around him. His family, colleagues, friends and readers will remember his distinctive voice, humor and commitment to his craft with sympathy and respect.