Always remember the asthma inhaler and “sinning” by the dumpster. Great guy. Very accepting and encouraging.

So sorry for the loss he was a great teacher when I was at school 🏫 and took drama classes I did what I could but I didn’t have the talent but he will. Be missed

I can't place a value on the benefits to my life for the inspiration, encouragement, and instruction from Mr. Thigpen. Both in class and on the stage. I have posted some photos that I had tucked away in the box from 1978.

  I was in the Greenville High School production of "The Bald Soprano,"in 1969, directed by Mr Thigpen, which swept the awards at the state drama festival in Rock Hill. This included Best play, best director, and in a cast of six, best actor and actress, and three honorable mentions. That's how impressive a talent Mr. Thigpen was as a director. 
   He was one of my favorite teachers. 
   I've been thinking of him and of Trustus Theater a lot lately and considering getting involved in theater again, and hoping to work with Mr. Thigpen again. Perhaps I can honor his memory by doing so.
    I shall certainly miss him.

                           With Love,
                        

                           Arthur Ezell
                           Greenville
                           High, 1969

Jim and Kay can never be repaid for their contributions to making Columbia one of the most theatre-friendly towns in the country. I remember them from before Trustus and cannot believe my good fortune to have known them.

Rest well, Sweet Prince!

I went to school with Erin and my father (who passed in 2011) adored Trustus Theater. May light perpetual shine upon him and the divine assistance remain always with him.

Coach Thigpen, My deepest condolences to the family, "This Story Needs to be Told," It was 1970-1971 I was at Crayton Middle School when we decided to walk home from school, (only 4.5 miles). On the way we stop by AC Flora walking around and looking at the campus this is when we stumbled up on the WRESTLING room, peeping in the dor and impressed by seeing this little 135 pound guy with long hair, full bearded hippie looking dude flipping, throwing and pinning the wrestlers in the room, we were amazed, he invited us in the wrestling room the thermostat was set up to 90-degree, we were just observing and sweating like crazy, at this point he introduced us to the sport of wrestling. Coach told us if we didn't go to class we couldn't come to practices, so every day after school we ran from Crayton to AC Flora wrestling practice, after practice we will start walking home until Coach found out and put a stop to it, he would put his pack of cigarettes in his Levi jean jacket and grab his Pepsi Cola and drove us home, he said Anything Can Happen out in the streets I just want you all to be safe and I told him that we were wrestlers and we weren't scared, he laughs and just took a puff of his cigarette.
Coach always said to look out for each other we are as one.
By the 1975 and 76 season A.C Flora wrestling team was ranked 2nd & 3rd. In the State 4-A competition. Coach produce Regional qualifiers and champion, State qualifiers and Champions as well as building character and morals in students. I went to college on a wrestling scholarship, Volunteer, Assistant and Head coach, a Wrestling Official for the past 38 years and now an Assistant Collegiate Wrestling coach at Allen University in which we awarded 38 scholarships this year to deserving wrestlers.

Coach Thigpen this is all part of your legacy. Thanks, We love you man, The Wrestling team.

Eugene Jacobs

There are people you remember forever...Jim Thigpen was one of mine.  I loved being his student, even when he pushed me out of my comfort zone...I loved babysitting his lovely Erin and knowing his family.  My sympathy to his family and friends...may you feel his love surround you every time you see a performance.

Jim touched many lives and he will be missed by hundreds. The world is a little duller without Jim Thigpen.

Jim Thigpen opened doors, minds, and hearts. He taught us how to learn, to act, and to be. Our world needs more people like him. He helped to make it possible.

Words cannot express...you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

My condolences to his family.  I was a student under his drama teaching at A. C. Flora High School in the early 70's.  He created a desire in me to act and direct which I have done in the Christian arena.  He was tough but fair and an excellent teacher.  Fun times doing plays under his direction.  He will be missed.  

-Karan (Moreland) Mazenko

You have our deepest sympathy in your time of loss.

As long as hearts remember
As long as hearts still care
We do not part with those we love
They're with us everywhere

I was so sad to hear of the passing of such a wonderful person.  I too am a better, deeper, more honest person because of Mr. Thigpen.  He was the coolest...his stories have stayed with me throughout my years since Spring Valley High School.  I absolutely HATE flies because of his story of how nasty they are!!!  He will be sorely missed.  Thoughts and prayers to the family and all he touched.

Our Fine Arts Community has benefitted from Jim and Kay's vision and hard work for promoting performing arts in Columbia. I enjoyed performing as a trumpet player at Trustus on several occasions, but I equally enjoyed being in the audience when Jim was acting and or directing.His legacy still stands strong today at Spring Valley High School through the great drama productions directed by his former student Allison McNeely. My heart goes out to Kay and family for your loss. We all have great memories of Jim. Time to celebrate his life well lived.

My heart breaks for your whole family. Jim Thigpen changed my life in high school from a shy kid to a more fun, more happy teenager, learning to love acting and making more friends. He was a wonderful teacher and acting coach. All of us bought jean jackets to be like him. He was funny and fun and honest and deep and gave a lot of color to our lives. I am a better public speaker and leader from having learned from him. I still remember him teaching us the term, "contemplate your naval" and many more interesting tidbits. I loved his stories, loved his honesty, his feedback, whether it was good or not so good. I wish I had time to get there tomorrow but I cannot make it. I would love to be in touch with others from that time in our lives when Jim Thigpen was the coolest person we knew. staggerpaw@aol.com

My condolences Kay and family.  Jim was a wonderful renegade who taught me at SVH in 78-80.  Inherit the Wind, Line - so memorable.  Thank you for all your contributions to live theater in Columbia and for all the lives you influenced to be original and authentic.

OBITUARY

James Ray Thigpen Jr.

August 25, 1942 – August 29, 2017

Dunbar Funeral Home (Devine)

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