I loved when Uncle Jim, aunt Maxine and Jimmy came to St. Louis to see the family. We would always have so much fun and he gave the biggest hugs ever and made me feel so special. When Grandma Henthorn  and I went to their house when I was little he let me drive his golf cart, I almost flipped it and he still didn’t get mad at me. He was so special to me and I’m sure anyone that knew him. 

I remember the first time I met James Thompson.  It was about 42 years ago when I had just started dating his Niece Michelle Jenkins.  Uncle Jim and Aunt Maxine were up for a visit to see Grandma and Grandpa Henthorn in St. Louis and Michelle was excited for me to meet her Uncle Jim and Aunt Maxine while they were up so I drove over to Grandma’s house to meet them.  
Upon meeting Uncle Jim I was a bit intimidated for he seemed bigger than life to me, but after only speaking with him for less than 20 seconds I knew those feelings of intimidation were all unwarranted as he immediately accepted me and made me feel welcomed and part of his family.  It was from that time going forward that I called him Uncle Jim and he called me “son “because that day we became family!
One of my fondest memories of Uncle Jim occurred when we took a trip to their home in Cabot, Arkansas.  Michelle had just lost her best friend, Sonya, her Siberian Husky who died from a terminal illness which of course left Michelle with a broken heart.  It was during that visit that I had mentioned to Uncle Jim that I would like to replace Michelle’s dog with a Sheltie that Michelle said she wanted.  The very next morning, before any of us had gotten up I found Uncle Jim with his morning coffee perusing the want ads in the paper and he had found a Sheltie breeder in Bald Knob, Arkansas which would be on our way home from their house.  So after getting his map out he carefully mapped out our route down to the exit number we would be taking to meet the breeder and get Michelle her new dog.  This of course thrilled Michelle and I know it thrilled Uncle Jim as he was able to ease Michelle’s pain in helping her heal with a new puppy.
Uncle Jim was always ready in big and small ways to help others along their way.   He is and will always be missed by me, a grateful “son” who had the pleasure of knowing him and will always be thankful that he allowed me to be part of his family!

My Uncle Jim was larger than life in my eyes. He treated me like I was his little princess all of my life, even after I was grown. He always made me feel special and loved. I remember him carrying me around all of the time when I was little. Most summers me and Mike got to go see Uncle Jim and Aunt Maxine wherever they were stationed with Grandma and Grandpa Henthorn. If it hadn’t been for them living in so many places we may never got to leave Missouri! We were always excited to go see them. I remember spending a couple of my birthdays at Aunt Maxine and Uncle Jims house which made it extra special. Uncle Jim and Aunt Maxine and Jimmy came to my wedding. On my wedding day they set up my cake and there wasn’t any greenery around the fountain. I was panicking and then Uncle Jim came to my rescue. He took my to a florist and helped me get what I needed at the last minute.  Uncle Jim and Aunt Maxine invited us to go on vacation with them to Florida a couple of times when Michael Ryan was little and again after we had Jesse. I remember Uncle Jim and I would take walks on the beach and talk. Those were two of the best vacations I’ve been on getting to spend time with them. I always thought Uncle Jim was the most romantic man I knew. He always called Aunt Maxine “Love”! He always treated her so lovingly. That’s what I wanted - a man who would treat me the way Uncle Jim treated my Aunt Maxine. He was a great example of what a Christian man should be. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. I know Uncle Jim is in Heaven now and I know I will get to see him again some great glad day! 

This is my day lily that bloomed for just a day 

The first one this year 
And it 
Bloomed yesterday
And As I saw the bloom 
I thought of you 

Now I will always think of you when they bloom each year 

Your loving niece 
Kim

First I’d like to share that I am blessed beyond measure. The reason I say that is because I call Jim my Grandpa. That alone speaks volumes.

To piece the puzzle together for you, Maxine is my wonderful grandma, Jimmy is my hilarious Uncle who keeps everyone on their toes, and Ken is the best dad I could ask for. 
 
As you all know very well, to know Jim is to truly love Jim. 

He loved big. 

Whether you were his cashier at the grocery store or a spam caller that called the house phone to ask him about his car warranty, he took the time and made it known that he valued, loved, and cared about you. Jim took the time to have a conversation with anyone that crossed his path. He cared and loved people more than anyone I know. 

My grandpa is one of my biggest fans. He didn’t skip a single beat, and I’m confident he still doesn’t. Every time I saw him he would tell me how beautiful I was, how proud he was of me, how blessed he was to have me as a granddaughter, and how I am simply the biggest superstar. 

I am blessed beyond measure because I call him Grandpa. 

If you sat or talked to Jim long enough, he’d tell you all about his family and the people that he cared, loved, and  provided for. He truly loved his family, his people, and most of all, his wife. I am confident in saying he is the most Godly human I will ever know.

My grandpa was God’s vessel for 92 and ½ years (and if he was sitting here today he’d tell you exactly how many days). Like I said, he never skipped a beat. Jim was the absolute best provider and the biggest blessing to our family. I have to admit, my grandma Maxine hit the jackpot when they found each other. 70 years of marriage is remarkable and their love is simply contagious. 

We can all agree that my grandpa Jim taught us all how to love and what it feels like to be loved and I hope you are reminded of that each and everyday forward. 

You and I are blessed beyond measure today and everyday because we are loved by Jim. 

Dear Thompson family,

Although I haven’t known the family very long and never met James Sr. I still feel the love and passion his life permeates in his home and through his loved ones. I’m so very sorry for such a hard loss but I know that you will remember what he taught and how he lived and loved every day. Please know I am remembering you guys in prayer and I am thankful for our time together.  Getting to know you guys is such a blessing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. 
Norma Wright (Providence Home Care)

It has truly been an honor and privilege for my family and I to have known The Colonel as we knew him over the past 25 years . He was a great neighbor and helped my family when I was deployed . He was a brother in arms and a fellow Kiwanian who got me involved in the organization . He lived life to the fullest and was a great example to all who knew him .  Thaks for being a part of our lives , Well done good and faithful servant.
Mark Bartels Colonel USAF Ret. and Liz Tyler Ashley and Heather

Always enjoyed serving in Kiwanis together and later visiting at flower shop.  Good man that loved his country and community and served them well.  Thinking of Maxine and the rest of family.


It was right after I was married. There he is, my Uncle Jim, tall handsome strong yet caring. Although my physical presence was absent which I will now always regret, my connection with Uncle Jim the past few years meant the world to me. We shared experiences about the past, my trips to the beach where I had a connection with a little laughing full names Tweety. I spoke with him as often as I could and he was always willing to listen to me about what was going on in my life as an artist, wife and animal lover and rescue mommy. I found strength I didn’t have after each call. To have someone genuinely listen to you is so important. I just wish it had been in person. I don’t fly. That was my own fault. 

I made him a boom with large photos and printing he could read and I named it “The years we missed”. And I poured my heart in to that book with photos of what went on on my move over the years from my art shows to my beach trips. He told me he loved that book. 

Just recently I called on Memorial Day. He didn’t answer but I left a message to tell him I loved him. 

I will miss our talks. I will miss his stories. I will miss him. Thank you Uncle Jim. You have no idea how important you were to me. 

But then again perhaps you do. 

Your loving niece 

Kim  

Jim was a wonderful Christian man. We were blessed to have them as members of Chambers Park church for a few years while he served in the military. Our condolences to his dear sweet wife Maxine and his children and grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
          Lance and Carol Hellwig

We were so very sorry to hear about Jim. He was an amazing man that we thought so much of. Prayers for Maxine and all the family. Love and prayers to all of you. Love The Bowman Family 
Joey, Angie, Brittney, and Michael

OBITUARY

Col. James Daniel Thompson (ret.)

November 3, 1930 – May 30, 2023

Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery

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