January 06, 1938 - July 22, 2015
James Lee Thompson, Jr. Obituary On July 22nd, 2015, God called one of his own to Paradise. James Lee Thompson Jr was born on January 6, 1938 in Epps Louisiana to James Thompson Sr., & Virginia "Lee" Thompson of Epps Louisiana. James L attended Coleman Elementary in Epps; where he would meet his future wife. Unbeknownst to him, Lil' MS Pearlean Hutton, then age five, said to herself when he walked into the classroom ("that's going to be my husband".) Who knows that at age five? James was raised by his mother Virginia Lee and grandmother Viola Tannehill in Spokane, Washington. James always had and displayed the utmost respect for his mother and grandmother and anyone that knew him knew how important they were to him. Mother Viola Tannehill played such a vital role in his life. So much, that she taught him how to cook, clean, bake and how a woman should be treated. While in Spokane, James attended Lewis and Clark high school where he ran track and other field events and did a very good job at it so much that not until the last 5 to 10 years had his track records been broken. When James decided he was so grown he didn't need school anymore he stopped going. Mother Tannehill said, I think NOT! Not in this house! So she decided to call James Sr., to let him know how his Lil' carbon copy was acting. Grandpa James, told her to send him down here to me and we'll see about that! James Jr must have thought his daddy was going to let him play around. As if to say getting an education was no big deal! Wrong answer! James Sr. wasn't going to have any drop outs, not if he had anything to do with it! Needless to say James Jr graduated from Magnolia High School, class of 1958! And you already know, Ms. Pearlean Hutton, was elated at his return. After high school James moved back to Spokane, Washington and was drafted to the US Army; where he completed four years active and four years reserve, receiving an Honorable Discharged in 1967. Pearl, really thought she was going to travel the world. NOT! Daddy did his time and got out! During his military service, James L, reconnected with Pearl, they courted for a bit and just before his grandmother Viola passed away she wrote Pearl a letter letting her know she was getting the Best Man in the World! They were married on December 25, 1962. They wrote lots of letters during this time. Thanks mom for answering his calls and responding to his letters! This union bore three children; DeWayne in July 1963, Michael in June 1965 & Meschayle in May 1967. James was drafted to the US Army; where he completed four years active and four years reserve, receiving an Honorable Discharged in 1967. Pearl, really thought she was going to travel the world. NOT! Daddy did his time and got out! James was going where the jobs were, so when he got out of the military, his game plan was to move to Vegas; but Cousin Lucille Carter's husband got him a job at Kaiser Aluminum in Spokane in 1964, where he stayed until his retirement 38 years later. Pearl and James, liked to travel so much, they bought a truck and camper and hit the highways every summer to see family in various states. James loved to take pictures just about everywhere they went; because memories of family are what it's all about. James really loved to cook so he started a little catering hustle. BBQ ribs, chicken, potato salad, banana pudding, pound cakes, sweet potato pies. "These are just a few; if you knew James L, you already knew what he could do!" James loved his family and wanted to know more of who we are and where we came from; that he and Cousins Odis Thompson and Geneva Thompson-Nibblet had discussions of starting a family reunion. In 1983 the First Bi-Annual Thompson Family Reunion was born in Epps Louisiana. We've had 16 reunions all over thus far in various locations. James was adamant about not missing this one since they had never missed one before... why start now? In October 1997, James L Thompson Jr's life as he/we knew it was changed from his paralyzing car accident. He broke his neck, cut his ear to his lobe. Pearl was on her way back from Las Vegas burying their great nephew and somehow the news got to her to go to the hospital James had been in a very bad car accident. How calm is this? Pearl helped the surgeon sew his ear on. Once again who does that? Pearl has exemplified her wedding vows in sickness and in health. She has been his primary caregiver since the accident. One Doctor told her most quadriplegics don't survive 10-15 years. It's been almost 18 years and you've done a superb job! James was preceded in death by his father James Thompson Sr. and younger brother Cedric Thompson both of Epps Louisiana. His grandmother, Viola Tannehill, mother Virginia Lee Smith and Nathaniel Smith of Portland Oregon. Both In-Laws AD and Thelma Hutton of Chicago Illinois, Sister's, Ethel Dickerson of Columbia, South Carolina, Sandra and son, Michael R. Thompson of Spokane, WA. Left to cherish his memory: His loving wife, Pearlean and son DeWayne A. Thompson, Spokane WA. One daughter, Meschayle R. Smith (Eric) Portland OR, Three Brothers: Minister Otis L. Best (Robin) Portland OR. Wilbert L. Thompson (Karen) Inglewood CA., Joel Thompson (Brenda) Monroe LA, Four Sisters: Dorothy R. Hogan (Frank) La Marque TX, Elaine Thompson Texas City, Tx, Cynthia J. & Sonia R. Thompson, Dickinson, TX, Three granddaughters: Ellyse Brielle Turner, Omaha NE, Aryn K. & Kenadi M. Smith, Portland Or, one grandson Drakkar JV McGhuey, Las Vegas, Nevada and a host of other relatives, family and friends. A Funeral Service was held on August 1, 2015 The Family Wish to Acknowledge the Friendship, Gestures, Generosity, Sympathy, Guidance and Most of all your Prayers! � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of James, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events JUL 22