James Alfred Thompson

Longtime Palmer resident James “Jim” Alfred Thompson, 70, died Jan. 23 from natural causes at his home in Palmer.

The funeral is today at noon at the Valley Funeral Home, 151 East Herning Ave., in Wasilla. Elder Gary Ullerick will officiate. Pallbearers will be Mark Thompson, Greg Thompson, Steve Roth, Russell Day, Timijen Lagao, Leon Sarkissiam and Andy Grozier. Private family graveside services will immediately follow the services at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery on Fort Richardson. Fort Richardson Memorial Affairs will perform military honors.

Mr. Thompson was born Oct. 6, 1939 to Alfred Marshall and Cloe Virginia (Osbourn) in Scotia, Calif. He attended high school until the 11th grade and later in life completed his GED. Mr. Thompson entered into the U.S. Army in 1959 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division until he was honorably discharged in 1962. He moved to Palmer in 1980 where he has resided ever since. Mr. Thompson worked as a truck driver for Consolidated Freight Lines in Anchorage from 1992 until he retired in 2003. He was a member of the Living Church of God in Wasilla.

“Jim was a devout Christian man devoted to his church. He loved his times in the outdoors hunting and fishing. He had in recent years been introduced to duck and goose hunting and made trips to his brother’s in Idaho to hunt. Jim had a fondness for flying and enjoyed time in the back country. He will be greatly missed by his family and his many Alaska friends,” wrote his family.

Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Marshall Thompson. He is survived by his son, Greg Thompson of St. Louis, Mo.; mother, Cloe Virginia Thompson of Mt. View, Mo.; sister and brother in-law, Bob and Donna Howell of Hartshorn, Mo.; brother and sister in-law, Mark and Mary Thompson of Weiser, Idaho; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to the Living Church of God, P.O. Box 3810, Charlotte, NC 28227.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home.