Parents Of Slain College Student Honor Him With Foundation

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The family of a Minnesota college student who was murdered last year says they are focusing on the positive.

The body of 18-year-old Tom Bearson was found three days after he went missing from North Dakota State University last fall.

"I just thought, 'You know what, he touched so many lives that it would be worthwhile to keep his memory alive,'" Greg Bearson, Tom's father, said.

Greg and Debbie Bearson started the Tom Bearson Foundation. Donations help community initiatives like increasing awareness for on-and-off-campus safety, and funding college scholarships.

"If we could keep his memory alive by giving back to the community, that would be a wonderful thing," Greg said.

The foundation will host the first of an annual golf outing Saturday in Tom's honor. Their family will be showing off new tattoos.

"It says, 'Dearly loved, deeply missed, forever in my heart,'" Debbie said.

Police are still searching for Tom's killer. Greg and Debbie say they believe justice will prevail but have stopped dwelling on the past. They say they are trying to make the future better, as Tom would have wanted.

"Our son was an uplifting and wonderful, amazing son," Greg said. "The best way to honor him is to live our lives the right way."

Click here for more information on the Tom Bearson Foundation.