James Emil Thompson

Mr. James (Jim) Emil Thompson, Sr. passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026, due to complications from dementia with Lewy bodies. He was surrounded by the people he loved most—his brother, sister-in-law, children, and grandchildren.

Jim was born on August 10, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated from Ridley High School in 1971. Immediately after high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. In 1973, he married his best friend, Marjorie (Trago) Thompson. They were married for almost 50 years, until Marjorie’s passing in 2023. Together, they had three children—Jennifer, James, and Matthew.

After graduating from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, Jim began a career as a mechanic. He worked for several small auto shops and dealerships in the Philadelphia area before accepting an Active Guard Reserve position with the Army Reserve in 1983. He was appointed as a Chief Warrant Officer Two in 1986.

While building his military career and raising a family, Jim also continued his education. He graduated from Mount Senario College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1991. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College in 2012.

Jim’s career in the Army Reserve took him across the country and around the world. He and his family lived near several Army posts throughout his career, including Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania; Fort Snelling, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His military duties also required extensive travel, taking him across the country and overseas to Germany, South Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. From 2004 to 2005, Jim served a combat tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His distinguished military career culminated in 2012 with his final assignment at the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he served as the Command Chief Warrant Officer. His many military honors included the Bronze Star Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He retired after 40 years of dedicated service to the United States Army and Army Reserve.

Following his retirement from the military, Jim spent six more years serving the nation as a Department of the Army civilian. In 2018, Jim and Marge retired to the Wilmington, North Carolina, area. Instead of simply enjoying “retired life,” Jim volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and worked as a driver for Enterprise Rent-A-Car until his wife passed away in 2023.

Above all else, Jim was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was devoted to his wife. He coached his sons’ hockey teams and nurtured his daughter’s love of reading. He was at every track meet and basketball game. After retirement, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren at the beach. His favorite time of day was around 2:00 p.m., when he and Marge would take their “break” and enjoy a cold beer and a snack on their screened-in porch.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James (Marjorie) W. Thompson; his parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Russell (Thelma) Trago; his brother, Mr. John Thompson; his brother-in-law, Mr. Russell (Joan) Trago; his sister-in-law, Mrs. Rita (Trago) Volz; and his grandson, Mr. Brayden Binford.

He is survived by his three children, Ms. Jennifer (Scott Dewlen) Thompson, Mr. James (Adriane Sevelin) Thompson, and Mr. Matthew (Jackie) Thompson; his grandchildren, Ms. Kayla Delaney, Mr. Warryn (Kelly) Thompson, Mr. Matthew Thompson, Mr. Aidan Anez, and Ms. Victoria Thompson; his brother, Mr. Jeffrey (Deborah) Thompson; and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel.

Additional visitation and funeral services will be held at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home in Dale City, Virginia, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.