James “Jim” Everett Thompson, Sr.

November 20, 1940 – June 29, 2026

James “Jim” Everett Thompson, Sr., 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Homewood Health in Lebanon, Ind., surrounded by the love of his family.

The fifth of six children, he and his twin sister, Betty Lou, were born at home on their farmstead in Monticello, Ind., on November 20, 1940, to the late Fred A. and Nellie (Willhelm) Thompson. He often lovingly joked that Betty’s sweet nature made her take so long to be born that they nearly had to celebrate their birthday for two days in a row, yes-siree Bob!

Growing up a farm boy, Jim developed a deep love of animals, often finding injured creatures and nursing them back to health. One such story he was especially proud of telling involved an endangered Red-tailed Hawk that refused to leave his side even after its wing healed, following him all over the farm. He said his dad warned him that it was illegal to keep a hawk as a pet, so he took it out to the back pasture with the intention to set it free. But nothing he did to drive it away worked! Instead, it calmly waited and then followed him all the way back to the house. He would always shrug at this point in the story and ask, “What could I do if the little guy picked me?” Jim was often “picked” during his lifetime by helpless animals such as squirrels, baby raccoons, and once even a skunk!

Working from dawn to dusk cultivated strong work ethics, stubborn perseverance, and his MacGyver-like ability to fix anything he set his mind on. He would often say, “If I can’t fix it, it ain’t broke!”

He met his future wife, Jean, at Indiana Academy where he spent four years getting into mischief like hauling the boy’s dean’s car all the way to the top of the Chapel steps with his friends as a Senior prank. After graduation, he attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., studying Animal Science until he and Jean were married on August 27, 1961. God blessed them with 63 years of marriage before laying her to rest.

During his lifetime, Jim built custom homes and furniture with his exemplary carpentry skills; trained and showed German Shepherds and Dobermans; drove long-haul trucks for Little Debbie; accompanied his wife on the harmonica while she played and sang in churches all over the United States; served as a foster then adoptive parent; mentored youth and was active for many decades as both Director of the Cicero Pathfinder Club and Area Coordinator of the Indiana Conference of SDA. He loved to roller skate, play volleyball, and was the reigning Ping Pong Champion of the family! He was a member of the Cicero Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he also served as a Deacon. He was the Maintenance Superintendent for the Indiana Conference and Indiana Academy Campus, spending many years prepping the grounds for Camp Meeting and Alumni functions.

He would often refer to himself as a Jack-of-all-Trades because there was literally nothing he couldn’t do. He co-owned J&J Construction with his wife until illness forced him into early retirement. However, he did not view his failing health as a setback. Instead, he and Jean became “snowbirds” traveling the countryside in a Four Seasons motor home until settling down as volunteers at Timber Ridge Camp in Spencer, Ind. There he assisted in building the camp’s Nature Center where he and Jean were affectionately referred to as Father and Mother Nature by campers and staff alike. During his time there, he could be found teaching classes on fishing, canoeing, horsemanship, animal track and bird identification, flowers, rocks, and fossils. He even built a terrarium and hosted petting zoos where he told Nature Nugget stories to the children!

He had a stubborn resolve which served him well throughout his life as he fiercely stood strong in his faith, even when faced with the decline in his wife’s health. He lovingly cared for her until God called her home, continuing to loyally yearn for the day they would be reunited in Heaven. He had a wealth of knowledge that only a lifetime of lived experiences could truly give, and he was always willing to share his advice, leaving no room for doubt by ending it with “that’s just common sense!”

He is survived by son, Jim (Lori) Thompson, Jr. of Kirklin; daughter, Sherri (William) Young of Glenwood, Ark.; adopted daughter, Sonja (Vincent) Lewis of Lawton, Okla.; granddaughter, Cindi (Douglas) McCaslin of Arcadia; granddaughter, Sandi (Davon) Hardy of Anderson; grandson, Bernie (Alicia) Brandt of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandson, Bradley (Melissa) Thompson of Mesa, Ariz.; grandson, Jordan Wells of Indianapolis; and grandson, Jacob Young of Glenwood, Ark. God blessed him with nine great-grandchildren: Sylvanna Thompson, Gigi Thompson, Isaiah Hardy, Gage McCaslin, Mason McCaslin, Sophia McCaslin, Bradley Thompson, Jr., and Ezra Brandt.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred A. Thompson; mother, Nellie (Willhelm) Thompson; brother, Robert Thompson; brother, Clarence Thompson; sister, Katherine (Thompson) Macklin; sister, Margaret (Thompson) Miles; sister, Betty (Thompson) Feig; wife, Jean (Reutebuch) Thompson, and great-grandson, James Nicholas Andrew Thompson Harrison.

Although life was not always perfect for Jim and had many challenges, he never lost his love for his family or his Lord. We will mourn his loss and long for just one more opportunity with him … to cast a line in the lake on a perfect sunny day or get his expertise on which tool to use for a home repair. But we will also smile as we remember his blue eyes holding our attention as his voice reminds us that this wait is only temporary since we will meet again when that trumpet sounds. “Okie doke?”

2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” [1, 2, 3]

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Cicero Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 24445 State Road 19, Cicero, with Charlie Thompson officiating. Visitation will start at 3 p.m. with Funeral Service following at 4 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Conference with TRC Lilly Grant noted in the Memo section for checks or online at adventistgiving.org/donate.

Online condolences can be given at hartleyfuneralhomes.com.