James W. Thompson, 84, of Devils Lake, ND, died Sunday, November 17, 2013,  at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake surrounded by his loving family.  Mass of the Resurrection will be Saturday, November 23, 2013,  10:00 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Devils Lake with Fr. Matthew Kraemer, celebrant.  Scripture Readers will be: Eric Thompson and Blake Roseen.  Gift Bearers will be:  Maranda Jenson and Grant Roseen.  Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery  Simensen VFW Post #756 of Devils Lake and the North Dakota Funeral Honors Team.  Visitation will be held Friday beginning at 5pm with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 PM all in the church.  Casket bearers will be:  Jeff,  Kevin & David Wangen,  Eric Thompson,  Kole Jenson,  Blake Roseen,  Jaret & Josh Thompson and Ty Ploium. Honorary Bearer will be:  David Thompson. Music will be from Patty Cote.

James Wesley Thompson was born February 17, 1929 in Devils Lake to Theodore and Florence (Taylor) Thompson. He was raised in Devils Lake, attended Washington grade school and graduated from Devils Lake Central High School in 1947.  James joined the North Dakota National Guard on July 22, 1947 and went to work as a civilian technician, first as a welder, then mechanic and finally a machinist in the Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) at Camp Grafton.  He retired as a civil servant on September 9, 1987.  James remained in the National Guard until age 60, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received many awards and retired with 43 total years of service.

James enjoyed the National Guard and would readily volunteer to be involved with the State Active Duty Missions.  Flood duty was an almost annual event for many years.  He would tell stories of rescuing pigs and cattle on "ducks" amphibian type boats, also digging out the snowbound on emergency snow removal or clearing towns of downed trees and debris after storms.  The National Guard also gave James the opportunity to travel to such places as Tooele, Utah Army Depot, Anniston, Alabama and Germany.

James married Jane Keller in Devils Lake on March 5, 1955.  They raised six wonderful children:  Jan, Gail, Scott, Linda, Lisa and Amy.  Sunday picnics were always a highlight as well as the annual summer vacations to Detroit Lakes, MN and the many trips to Chicago to visit Aunt Ruby and Uncle Tom.  James was active in the fund raising to construct St. Joseph's School and also in keeping St. Mary's High School operating back in the 70's.  He served as president of the PTO and was instrumental in the construction of St. Mary's football complex.  James was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Elks and the American Legion.  James was also very proud to become a member of the Catholic faith on November 22nd, 2010.

In earlier years, James has a passion for playing intramural ice hockey under the late coach, Bill Jerome.  He enjoyed pheasant hunting, was an avid bowler for many years, loved to spent hours tinkering in the garage and listening to "Rat Pack" music.  In more recent years, James enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and school activities.  He also liked to play card games, poker and dice with the grandchildren.  He loved his grandsons very much, but held a special place in his heart for his only granddaughter "Randa-Randa" who helped care for him in the more recent years.    James and Jane celebrated 58 wonderful years of marriage this past March.  They enjoyed watching Sioux Hockey, Minnesota Twins as well as traveling to area casinos to try their luck.

We will always cherish our many memories, and he will be forever in our hearts!  As Dad would always say, "Keep the Faith."

Grateful for sharing in his life are his wife:  Jane;  children:  Jan Thompson (Mike Schmidt) of Devils Lake,  Gail (Steve) Wangen of Harvey, ND,  Scott Thompson (Sheri Ploium) of  Devils Lake,  Linda (Wayne) Jenson of Devils Lake,  Lisa (Brian) Roseen of Lakeville, MN and Amy (Paul) Thompson of Devils Lake;  grandchildren:  Jeff (Jasmine),  Kevin (Jerilyn) & David Wangen,  Eric (Vangelis) Thompson,  Kole & Maranda Jenson,  Blake & Grant Roseen,  Jaret & Josh (Alicia Popowski) Thompson and Ty Ploium;  great-grandchildren:  Logan & Hailey Thompson,  Gavin Wangen & Cullen Wangen;  sisters-in-law: Orpha Thompson  of  San Antonio, TX, Loretta Buchmeier & Laura McCarthy both of  Devils Lake,  Louisa Morse of  Fargo;  nieces:  Jeannie (Ray) Eisenzimmer of Devils Lake , Jill (Al) Roeder of Breezy Point, MN, Karen (Jim) Fairchild of Monroe, Michigan,  nephews:  David (Jean) Thompson of Fargo,  Michael Thompson in TX,  and special friends:  Dave, Tammy, and Bethanie Haug of Maddock.

James was preceded in death by his parents:  Theodore & Florence Thompson;  a brother:  Elmer "Happy" Thompson;  sisters:  Marion Gergan,  Glenna Wicken,  Ruby Dawson, Polly Davis,  infant brother and sister, twins Dorothy & Donald Thompson;  mother and father-in-law:  John and Anna Keller;  brothers & sisters-in-law:  MaryAnn & Bert Schiele,  Lenore and Art Olson,  Jack McCarthy,  Clarence & Gloria Keller, Tony Buchmeier, best friend Clarence "Speed" Morse, and a nephew Kenny Wicken.







Condolences:

Jane and Family,  I was so very sorry to hear of Jim' s passing.  You have my deepest sympathy.   I remember the great meals. John and I had at your house many times in years past, always enjoyed visiting with you and Jim.  God be with you at this sad time.   Jessie Haug



We are sorry to hear of your dad's death.  Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Curt and Bette Alvestad



Condolences to the Thompson Family.  I Served in the 3662d Maint Co with Jim, his attention to detail was an inspiration me.  My thoughts and prayers are with you. Joseph Kostecki