Orvin David Thompson

In Loving Memory of Orvin David Thompson Jr. - "ODT"

Our beloved Orvin David Thompson, has been called home, gently leaving this earthly world behind to reunite with the souls he loved and lost before him. He is now embraced by the eternal divine light, a sacred light that knows no darkness, brings peace to weary hearts, and comforts even the most troubled of souls. Orvin Age 64, passed away in Minneapolis on August 15, 2026. He is survived by daughter Kalyn (Nick), sisters Drinda (Gregory), Paulette (Mark), Carol (Randy), Mariellen (Ragnar), brother Tim, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by father Orvin Sr., mother Mary, brothers David and Dennis, sister-in-law Terri, and nephew Justin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 11, at 11 AM, at St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church, Lino Lakes, MN. Visitation will be an hour before at the church, and a luncheon with the opportunity to share memories of Orvin will follow. Inurnment at Chisholm Cemetery, Saturday, September 12, 2 PM.

Orvin's life was filled with music, creativity, and an unwavering passion for the arts. His journey as a musician began when he was only eight years old, when learning classical piano first opened his eyes to the limitless world of music. By the age of eleven, he had discovered the drums, and at just twelve years old, he began his professional career as a drummer. He joined the musicians' union in northern Minnesota, where opportunities to perform were plentiful, and quickly began building the experience that would shape the rest of his life.

By sixteen, Orvin had joined a professional jobbing band as a keyboard player. By the age of eighteen, he had already performed more than 800 professional jobs. He continued to expand his musical talents, venturing throughout Minnesota and performing with numerous bands, developing his skills as a bass player while always bringing his powerful voice and natural gift for singing along with him.

Music was never simply something Orvin did-it was woven into the fabric of who he was.

Over the course of his career, he performed thousands of shows, often playing six nights a week, developing the stamina, versatility, and experience that only a lifetime dedicated to music could bring. He shared his talents with countless musicians and artists and eventually became a member of the Minneapolis reggae band Ipso Facto. With the band, Orvin gained international exposure, toured with UB40, performed alongside The Kinks, and shared stages with many of the major reggae, rock, and world music acts of his time. Ipso Facto received Minnesota Music Awards, and the experiences and friendships Orvin gained during those years remained an important part of his musical legacy.

His talents extended far beyond the stage. Orvin worked as a studio musician and vocalist, collaborated with numerous local and national artists, and became a keyboard producer on countless singer-songwriter recordings. He brought his knowledge of keyboards, drums, bass, vocals, and songwriting into the studio, helping other artists bring their own music to life. A prolific songwriter, Orvin wrote and copyrighted more than a thousand songs throughout his lifetime. He recorded and released original music, continually refining his craft and exploring collaborative songwriting. He eventually released five broadcast-quality CDs, with his work available through CD Baby under his artist moniker, ODT. His music, including the Beathealers project, invited listeners into a world that was uniquely his own.

Yet Orvin's creative journey did not end with music.

In 2000, he pursued another lifelong passion and attended film school in Colorado before continuing his education in Minnesota. He earned degrees in Digital Film and Video Production and went on to work as a senior editor in Denver, broadening his knowledge and experience in the world of media and filmmaking. In 2009, he became a teacher of post-production at Masters Recording Institute, sharing the knowledge he had gathered through decades of creative work.

Eventually, Orvin brought his two great passions-music and film-together. He composed music for film and video, scored documentary projects, and worked behind the camera shooting and directing music videos. His focus became creating music that could give emotion, depth, and life to visual stories.

Orvin was, at heart, an artist, musician, songwriter, a storyteller, a teacher, creator.

Perhaps one of his most enduring legacies was the inspiration he gave to his only daughter, Kalyn Youngblom Stokes. Through his creativity, his determination to pursue his passions, and his willingness to continually reinvent himself, Orvin showed Kalyn what it meant to live a life guided by curiosity, courage, and imagination. His artistic spirit and love for creating left an indelible mark on her life. In so many ways, the pieces of him that she carries forward are not only found in his music, but in the way she sees the world, embraces creativity, and continues to create a life of her own.

To Kalyn, he was more than a gifted musician and artist. He was her father-the person whose life, talents, imperfections, passions, and perseverance became part of the story that shaped her. His influence will continue to live through her, carried forward in ways both seen and unseen.

He spent his life following the music wherever it led him-from the piano keys he first discovered as a child, to the drums of his youth, the stages of Minnesota and beyond, international tours, recording studios, classrooms, film sets, and finally into the world of composing music for film and video.

His journey was unique, colorful, and beautifully his own.

Now, his earthly song has come to an end, but the music he created will continue to move through the world. It lives in the recordings he left behind, in the artists he worked beside, in the stories he helped tell, and most importantly, in the hearts of the people who knew and loved him.

May he find his way into the arms of those who have been waiting for him, where there are no more burdens to carry, no more sorrow to endure, where he can be at peace, eternal peace. May the divine light guide him home, surrounding him with the love, warmth, and comfort that he so deeply deserves.

Though his absence leaves an ache in all of our hearts, his life leaves behind a legacy-a lifetime of music, creativity, and love.

And perhaps the greatest comfort is knowing that a part of Orvin will always remain. His music will play on. His stories will be remembered. His creativity will inspire. And through his daughter, Kalyn, his spirit will continue to touch the world.

Rest peacefully, dear Orvin.

May your soul be free,

your heart be light,

and your journey home

be filled with everlasting love.

Your song will never end.