James C. Thompson Sr.
RICEVILLE, Iowa—James Carl Thompson Sr., 84, died July 16, 2009, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Elma, Iowa.
Mr. Thompson was born Dec. 13, 1924, at St. Paul, Minn., the son of Edwin Thompson and Agnes Marik Thompson.
He was married to Rita H. Kohles on Feb. 18, 1946, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rochester, Minn. To this union six children were born. They were married for 63 years.
He graduated from Barber College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and was a barber for more than 50 years.
He was a member of the American Legion for 60 years, a veteran of the Navy where he served on the Destroyer USS Rowe.
Jim was an avid fisherman and he loved golfing. He enjoyed his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and nieces and nephews who meant the world to him. He loved playing the keyboard, guitar and harmonica. He was surrounded by family, friends and relatives in his final days.
Survivors include his wife, Rita, of Riceville; his children: Karen (William) Granahan of Stewartville, Minn., Betty (Wayne) Lubbert of Waterloo, Iowa, James C. Jr. (Nita) Thompson of Mesa, Ariz., William (Nancy) Thompson of Riceville and Robert Thompson of Riceville; 10 grandchildren and 19 great- grandchildren; four sisters: Grace (Arnold) Deetz, Gladys Deetz, Geneveive Sweitzer and Geraldine (Ron) Johnson; and one brother, Garland (Dianne) Thompson; a special grand niece, Jena (Charlie) Passut of Franklin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Mary Ann Thompson, brother Raymond Thompson, and grandson Christopher Thompson.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville with Monsignor John Hemann officiating.
Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Riceville, Iowa, with military honors by Roy Gue Post 244.