James Aal Thompson

James A. Thompson, age 90 of Norman, Oklahoma died May 3, 2016 at the Veterans Center in Norman. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday May 6, 2016 at Primrose Funeral Service, Norman, OK. A memorial service will be held May 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the Alameda Church of Christ, 801 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma with his eldest son, James Jay Thompson officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in McAlester, Oklahoma at 3:00 p.m. Under the direction of Eddie Stolz.

Jim was born July 3, 1925 in McAlester, Oklahoma, to James B. and Florence H. Thompson. His mother died when he was 3 yrs old. His paternal grandparents Richard A. and Mariah E. Thompson, helped his father care for him until he was ll and then he and his father lived with his aunt (Mollie McHattie) until he was 18 yrs old. He graduated from McAlester High School in 1942. He attended Texas A&M in 1943. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and he served in World War II from 1943 to 1946.

In 1949, Jim received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma A & M (Oklahoma State University). He was a Design Engineer for the Missouri State Highway Department from 1949 to 1956, then, Traffic Engineer with the Department until 1964.

In 1952, he married Mary Frances McQueen of Lock Springs, Missouri. They had been married 48 years at the time of her death. They raised two sons, James Jay and John Eric Thompson. In 1974 they were blessed with the opportunity to take their sons on a trip to Jerusalem.

He was on paid leave from the Highway Department in 1956 and 1957 while attending Yale University. He received a Certificate of Traffic Engineering from Yale.

In 1964, he and his family moved to Washington, D.C. where he served as Chief, Lighting & Traffic Control Branch, Office of Engineering and Operations, Bureau of Public Roads. In 1967, he received a M.S.C.E. In Transportation Engineering from the Catholic University of America.

Jim was a member of Sigma Chi, Honorary Civil Engineering Society; American Society of Civil Engineers; Missouri Valley Section Institute of Traffic Engineers (MOVITE), President in 1972; Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE); Iowa Traffic Control and Safety Association (ITCSA); Kansas Association for Uniform Traffic Control (KAUTC); American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO); Illuminating Engineering Society; Highway Research Board Committee on Guardrail: Median Barriers, Sign, Signal & Lighting Supports; Highway Research Board Committee on Traffic Control Devices; Technical Council of the National Joint Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; Registered Professional Engineer in Missouri and Texas; Republican Precinct Chairman,1993-1996; Toastmasters in Jefferson City, Missouri (President in 1960).

Research papers published: “Driver Characteristics Related to Passing Sight Distance”,1957; “Economic Study of Various Mounting Heights for Highway Lighting”, 1966; “Criteria for Highway Tunnel Lighting Design”, 1967 (This paper was translated into seven foreign languages and adopted as the standard for tunnel lighting design of the U.S.A., Interstate Highway System and for the Japanese Highway System.)

In 2001, he married Jessie Moss Christian of Norman. They were married fifteen years. They enjoyed bridge, traveling and spending time with their family and church.

Jim was a member of the Christian Church from 1946 to 1998. His service to the church included Elder, Deacon, and Bible school Teacher. He was a member of the Alameda Church of Christ from 1998 until his death. He had also served this church as a bible school teacher. He loved hunting, fishing, bowling, bridge, and golf. Most of all he loved his Lord and his family. He could always find something good in most people or situations.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; James and Florence; his first wife, Mary Frances; sister, Mary Ellen Thompson and step-daughter, Terri Christian Davis.

He is survived by his wife, Jessie; sons James Jay (wife Kelley) and granddaughters Elisa and Meranda of Wetumpka, Alabama; John Eric (wife Patty) of Arlington, Texas and grandsons Cameron James (C.J.) Thompson and Cayton Hunter Thompson of Norman, step granddaughter Kendra Molina and great granddaughter Kraygen Molina; step-son Clay Christian of Norman; step-grandchildren Mike Mason (wife Michelle) of Norman, great-grandchildren, Kolby Mason, Harli Jo Mason, and Step-great granddaughter Heather Meek; Courtney Jewett (husband Wade) of Ft. Worth, Texas; Whit Jewett, Norah Catherine Jewett, Knox Jewett, Harrison Jewett, and Reid Jewett,

Jim's philosophy of life and advice to others was “Learn never to have to do anything you don't want to do by wanting to do what you have to do.”