JAMES DANIEL THOMPSON

1924-2015

JIM THOMPSON was born in Texarkana, Texas on October 22, 1924, to Charles A. Thompson and Carmen Fletcher White, and passed away peacefully on November 16, 2015. He was raised in Texarkana and attended Texas A&M University, earning a degree in Chemical Engineering in just 2-1/2 years. Jim joined the Navy immediately upon graduation, serving in WWII until 1946. He then joined Shell Oil Company in Houston, where he met and married Laurah Loraine Campbell on December 4, 1948. Like many Shell families at the time, Jim, Loraine and their expanding family moved 11 times across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New York and Canada, settling finally back in Houston in 1968. During his time with Shell in New Orleans, Jim earned his law degree from Loyola. Jim remained with Shell until 1975, when he became President of ANR Production Company and Executive Vice-President of Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline. After 11 years with ANR/Mich-Wisc, Jim began practicing law, specializing in Trusts and Estates. He maintained his law license until very recently, helping family and friends with their wills and probate. Jim and Loraine were long-time members of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, where they taught Sunday school for many years. Among other things, Jim loved to dance with Loraine in the Agnes Maule Dance Club and the Thalia Dance Club. Jim also loved music, having earned his way through A&M playing guitar with his brother Charlie on the local radio station, and playing in numerous bands throughout his years at Shell and ANR. After losing Loraine in 2009, Jim moved to Parkway Place, where he took up Spanish and continued playing guitar in the trio “Strings and Things.” His unwavering positive spirit, keen mind and sharp wit have been an inspiration to all who knew him. Jim is survived by his children and their spouses, Laura and Jim Dunn of Houston, Nancy and Jim Overbey of Dallas, Cathy and Brian Pasher of Austin, and Jim and Sharla Thompson of Houston; his grandchildren, Matthew and Adam Dunn, Emily (Overbey) and Jason Brandt, Alyson (Overbey) and Steve Tatigian, Brandon and Lauren Pasher, and Ashlyn and Jay Thompson; his sister-in-law Iris Mae Kemp of Granbury; brother-in-law A.B. Campbell and wife, Lunell of Dadeville, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim’s family will receive visitors at the Houston Racquet Club, 10709 Memorial Drive on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. A celebration of Jim’s life for family and close friends will be held in the chapel at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church on Thursday, November 19 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Church or charity of your choice. Micah 6:8; John 14:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:7.