Jim was a man of intellect, sharp wit, and a wry sense of humor. He was a lover of life, his family, and the many pets he cherished over the years. Known as a dedicated architect, school board member and community advocate, Jim was driven by career and civic engagement with a singular focus on uplifting those around him.
Jim was born on December 3,1956 in Alma, MI, to the late Arthur and Charleene (Kantzer) Thompson. He graduated from MIT with an undergraduate degree in art and design and earned his master’s degree in architecture from Carnegie Mellon.
He was passionate about his chosen career in architecture, leaving his mark on numerous buildings and spaces during his 40 years of practice in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, PA. While he specialized in K-12 educational buildings, his greatest joy came from mentoring aspiring interns, helping shape the next generation of architects.
He was honored to serve as an elected member (and once president) of the Harrisburg School District Board. A committed community leader, he also lent his expertise to the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Planning Board and the After School Program Board. Additionally, he held leadership positions, including past president and board member of the DePaul School for Hearing and Speech and the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
As an educational counselor for MIT, he interviewed prospective students; was on the steering committee of the Communities Practicing Resiliency; and served in multiple capacities as an alumnus of Theta Chi Fraternity.
He was a world traveler, a loyal friend, a generous opponent and a devoted husband, father and community leader. He had a curious mind, always learning something new — often by listening to podcasts from morning until night. He needn’t be the center of attention, but his steady presence and guiding influence were impossible to miss. He gave generously of his time and heart to family, friends and even casual acquaintances, embodying empathy and kindness in all that he did. He never met a small animal he didn’t embrace. He was a devoted Steelers fan. He owned just one pair of jeans in his adult life, always opting to dress sharply, even for the simplest occasion. He had a knack for telling bad jokes that only he truly appreciated—a reflection of his sharp intellect. He had no capacity for ill feelings, but offered a compassionate face to everyone he knew. He cherished his family deeply and found immense joy in holiday gatherings, surrounded by those he loved. We all mourn his passing, feeling deeply the loss of a life that brought so much light and warmth to the world. 🦉💕
He is survived by Jane, his wife of 18 years and the love of his life; sister, Judy Jacobs (Michael); son, Charlie (Jenean); daughter, Laura (Aaron); grandchildren, Freyja, Morrigan, Gabriel, Leo, Walker and Rex; stepchildren, Philip and Katie Sierzega; many loving nieces and nephews and his dachshund, Smidgeon. He is predeceased by his parents; sister, Jan MacAulay; and brother-in-law, Doug MacAulay.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church at noon on Friday, December 6, 2024. Visitation will be held in the church vestibule from 11:00 am until noon.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation, PO Box 54, Harrisburg, PA 17108. or https://www.hbgpsf.org/donate-now
