On Oct. 30, 2019, Lewiston High School alum, Malcolm Thorson, died due to a rare form of cancer, non-rhabdo soft tissue sarcoma.

Thorson was well-known by the staff and students of LHS for his seemingly permanent smile and his strength in facing everything head-on. Tai Bausch, a senior at LHS and one of Thorson’s siblings, said that he loved everyone and everyone loved him. Molly Hendrickson, a teacher, said she remembers Thorson everytime she wears her favorite “Fri-yay“ shoes.

Thorson received a standing ovation when he graduated from LHS in 2019.

In a recent interview with Thorson’s mother, Kassi Smith said that he was a joker.

“He was always making jokes about my age,” she reminisced. “He had an awesome personality.”

Despite the many obstacles he faced because of his disease, Thorson had set plans for the future.

“He wanted to be a lineman and travel the world,” said Smith.

Smith said that Thorson would want his family and friends to remember him by his personality and his collection of hats.

“He would want to be remembered not as the kid who died of cancer, but the as the kid who fought cancer, who loved to hunt and hang out with friends,“ said Bausch.

“There was just something about him,” she added.

A Celebration of Life for Thorson will be held Friday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. at Valley Christian Center in Lewiston. A gathering will immediately follow at the Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston.

Smith urges everyone to purchase hats at the gathering. The hats are in honor of Thorson and have his tattoo printed on them. The hats will cost $20 each and all proceeds will go to the Idaho Fish and Game department to help young children with hunter safety classes.

For more of the interview with Thorson’s mother, visit bengalspurr.com.