HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — James Earl Thompson(Jim), 78, passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, in the loving embraceof his wife. After a courageous and dignified five-year battlewith cancer, he passed from this life peacefully and with dignity intothe loving arms of our Lord.
He was born on October 24, 1933 in Carroll County, Virginia, to the late James Henry Thompson and Ethel Lummie Spence.
Jim graduated from Guilford College in 1957 and was a veteran of theUnited States Navy. Jim met and married his soul mate and “the mostbeautiful woman in the world,” Janet Taylor. They married November 14,1959, “the happiest day of my life.” Jim retired in 1988 after asuccessful career in the oil business. Jim and Janet moved toHendersonville in 1997 and both became active members of St. John inthe Wilderness Episcopal Church.
He was a loving and loyal husband who cherished his wife. He wasa caring and nurturing father who loved his children unconditionally.To his 16 grandchildren (and an expected great-grandchild), who adoredhim, he was fondly and lovingly known as “Paupaw.” He placedfamily above all else and lived everyday of his life that way.
To his family, “adopted families,” and friends who enriched Jim’s life,he loved you all. You made his time here a blessing, and he wasgrateful to have shared his journey with you.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Taylor Thompson, and his fourchildren, James Earl Thompson Jr. of Memphis, Tenn., wife Cindy andchildren Lauren Sargent and husband David and Cameron and Emlyn;Jennifer Eileen Thompson of Winston-Salem, N.C., and husband Frank andchildren Morgan, Brittany, and Blake; Joseph Ellis Thompson of Frisco,wife Tami and children Ellisa and Elijah, and Janet Thompson Barnard ofAlpharetta, Ga., and husband Andrew and children Joshua, Jordan,Justin, James, Jessica, Jennifer, Jaxon, and Jason.
A memorial service in celebration of his life will take place at 1 p.m.on Friday, July 6, at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church (1905Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, N.C.) with Rev. John A. Morton, Rev. H.Alexander Viola and Deacon Joyce Beschta officiating. The familywill receive friends following the service at a reception in the ParishHall.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to two charitiesthat were close to Jim’s heart. They are: Children and FamilyResource Center Scholarship Fund (828-698-0674 or www.childrenandfamily.org/support-us/) and Four Seasons Compassion for Life (828-692-6178 or www.fourseasonscfl.org/donate/).
A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangement.
