James E. Thompson

Through the life he lived each day, James Jim Thompson made a significant impact in the lives of all who were near. He was an extraordinary teacher and coach who inspired young people to be the best they could be whether in the classroom, out on the course, or in their everyday lives. Jim was a devoted family man who was thrilled to welcome children and grandchildren into the family over the years. A stranger was never a stranger for long when Jim was around, and a friend of his was a friend for life. Things will never be the same without him here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

The year 1941 is often remembered as the year of the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, but it was just prior to this historic day that Neal and Audrey E. (Teusch) Thompson welcomed the healthy baby boy they named James into their hearts and home on May 10, 1941, in Huntington, Indiana. He was an only child who was a bustle of activity right from the start. Jim loved going to his familys lake cottage at North Webster, and he attended St. Marys Catholic School and Huntington High School.

Jims love for the game of golf took root during his formative years. When he didnt make the Little League team, his dad got him into golfing. Naturally gifted, Jim was a four year varsity letter holder in high school until graduating in 1959, and he then went on to Huntington College where he was also a varsity letter golfer for four years. During his senior year at Huntington College he was elected student body president, and he graduated with his bachelors degree in 1963 as well as his masters degree from St. Francis College after he had been teaching for a few years.

Not to be forgotten during his years at Huntington College was his introduction to the woman of his dreams. Her name was Pamela M. Gamble, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together they were married on June 6, 1964. Jim was teaching in the social studies department at Columbia City Joint High School at the time, and this was where he spent his career. During the 1965 school year, the boys golf head coach position became available. Since he was an avid golfer, Jim was a great fit and ended up coaching the boys until 1989.

Jims days as a coach didnt end there, however, as he returned to coach the girls golf team from 1993 until retiring in July of 2014. During this time he also spent seven years assisting his son who was coaching the boys team. Jim, or Jet, Mr. T, or Coach Thompson as he was often known, had a combined 24 years as a head coach and was awarded Conference Coach of the Year over five times and had been All Conference Coach three times. In 2006, Coach Thompson was inducted into the Indiana High School Golf Hall of Fame and also received a Distinguished Service Award. For a short time after retiring in 2001, he filled in at Indian Springs Middle School before becoming a professor at I.P.F.W. where he taught constitutional law.

As a teacher, Jim was second to none. He valued education and loved the everyday act of teaching. He kept all of his students involved and expected them to give him their best while supporting them however he could. If things ever became a bit heated in his class, it was not uncommon to see Jim teaching while balancing a golf club or a yard stick on his nose! Early on in his teaching career he was named Outstanding Young Educator in 1970, and in 1998 he was awarded DEKKO Teacher of the Year. Jim was one of the first teachers to help students who could not come to school with Homebound Learning, was student council supervisor for many years, and gave tours of the county historical sites during summer school. Completely devoted to the school, he was willing to come along on student trips, announce at the school games, referee basketball games both for the junior and high schools. Jim was also a referee for the NCAA Womens Division II.

Throughout his life Jim treasured his family. He and Pam were blessed with the births of two children, Andrew and Anne. He was an amazing father who was active in the lives of his children. When coaching or being a referee when his children were playing, Jim always treated them like any of his other players. He even gave his own daughter a technical foul one game. When he welcomed grandchildren into his life, things were not different either and he even refereed several of his granddaughters basketball games. He was easy to talk to and quick to forgive.

He and Pam were members of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, and he enjoyed helping her with the Junior Miss. As a family they always drove when they went on any vacations, and of course he pointed out countless historical things along the way. Over the years they took numerous trips to Disney World, went to the Orange Bowl, and he also took his wife and children to see Kool and the Gang in concert at Disney! Later on, Jim and Pam enjoyed traveling together both in Michigan and in various places all around the country including the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, traveling to Savanah, Georgia visiting Tybee Island and looking at the Lighthouses. Anything that had history to it, Jim loved to travel and visit it. While out driving, if there was a historical highway, Jim would take it over the new faster routs.

He and a group of friends of mostly retired school teachers would go on their annual southern tour that was taken each year to play golf in Florida. One of the guys would map out what courses they would play, one would take care of renting the van they used to transport themselves and their golf clubs, one was responsible for the pop they took along and they would drive straight through with each person being assigned a time to drive. They would stop at the same gas stations each year, ate in the same restaurants and played the best golf courses in the afternoon. Always looking for a bargain, they stayed in the same motel each year and got the same room rate from year to year and had their rooms each year were right beside the pools, where breakfast was always eaten poolside. Luckily, in all the years, they only had a couple of mechanical problems along the way.

Always one to be active, Jim was rarely still. He loved going to sporting games and events, and he could always find a way of getting himself and others in to whatever he wanted. On more than one occasion, Jim watched the Masters in person, and he also went to the World Series on three separate occasions. He was known to be able to get into almost any type of event he wanted to. At home when he was not watching CSPAN or the Golf Channel, Jim enjoyed watching the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Cardinals.

Sometimes while school was out in the summer Jim did the farm report and was a DJ for the local radio station at the time, WFDT. He also tried selling cars for both Triers and Buchanan Ford. He was always willing to try anything.

There was no one who met James Jim Thompson and wasnt changed for the better. He was outgoing, fun-loving, and genuine, and he was the sort of person who always knew what to do in any situation. Jim was fully devoted to the people and things he loved including his family, his students, and his community. There are not enough words to describe how great of a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach or friend he truly was! Although he will be deeply missed, Jim leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever cherish.

James E. Thompson, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 10:27 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at his home. Jims family includes his wife, Pamela Thompson; son, Andrew Thompson of Columbia City; daughter, Anne (Tom) Titus of Columbia City; grandchildren, Baily Rentschler, Justin, Jaxon and Dylin Titus; mother-in-law, Edna E. Gamble of Goshen; sister-in-law, Paula (Robert) Shively of Somerset, Pa.; and brother-in-law, Vic (Jo) Gamble of Mentone. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and father-in-law, Duane Gamble.

Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S Line St, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior. Father Gary Sigler will be officiating. Burial follows at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the James E. Thompson Scholarship c/o the Community Foundation of Whitley County, 400 N. Whitley Street, Columbia City. This scholarship is being set up to help a student who is planning to purse a degree in education, especially a first generation student who does not have parents who attained a degree. To send his family condolences online, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .