James Richard Thompson

He was born on July 22, 1943, in Davenport, Iowa, to Thomas Thompson, Jr. and Miriam Strayer Thompson. He attended school in Fairmont, MN. In December 1965, he graduated from Mankato State University with a B.A. in Business. He began working for JC Penney immediately after college and managed many different stores in the Midwest until he retired in 2003, after 38 years.

On September 7, 1968, Jim married Nellie King. He adopted her two boys and then went on to have two more boys. Nellie preceded him in death. On March 14, 1988, Jim married Sharon Williams Steffen, who survives of the home.

In 2005, Jim & Sharon moved back to Sharon’s home state of North Carolina, settling in New Bern, close to her family.

Jim loved his large family, his church and choir, golf, football and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Jim leaves behind his wife, Sharon, a brother, Tom Thompson of Caro, Michigan; brother-in-law, Roger Williams of New Bern; children, Mike Thompson (Val) of Omaha, Nebraska, Joe Thompson of Fargo, North Dakota, Jim Thompson of Berlin, Wisconsin, Matt Thompson of Windemere, Florida, Patrick Steffen (Maggie) of Rhinelander, Wisconsin and Rhonda Lee (Gary) of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Nine Grandchildren; Three Great-Grandchildren; and much beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends all over the United States.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Clarks United Methodist Church at 2 pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Online condolences to the Thompson Family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.