James Milton Thompson, “Mr. T.” passed away March 18, 2024 leaving behind a legacy we will never forget. He was 71.
Jim was born April 9, 1952 to Randall and Mary Lou Thompson in Grand Haven, Michigan. Along with his brother Randy, he was raised to uphold a strong work ethic while developing a love for education.
Pursuing his love of knowledge, Jim graduated from Muskegon Community College in 1972 and later with his Bachelors of Arts in English/Language Arts Education in 1974 from Western Michigan University. Immediately thereafter, he began his 40-year teaching career in Muskegon Mona Shores, and in 1978 took a position in Edwardsburg. During his tenure in Michigan, Jim not only taught English but also formed debate teams, an expertise which would follow him in 1981 to move to Price, Utah where he planted his roots, becoming a teaching legend.
Carbon High School became Jim’s home, where he would teach for 33 years. For nearly a decade, Jim led the school’s debate team, bringing 54 trophies home, a state final win, and four national qualifiers. More importantly, Jim passed on his love of history and English to his students, while passionately dissecting each piece of literature in a way each of his pupils could understand.
Many think of James and immediately think of Shakespeare, his favorite playwright. Jim was known for his Shakespearean paper-mache heads, stain glass artwork, and his zealous knowledge of the history and language of the time. When asked which quote of Shakespeare’s he favored most, his response was:
“Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”- William Shakespeare, “Julius Caesar.”
During his time as a teacher, James had yet another accomplishment, becoming a husband and father. Jim married his wife, Jeanne, of 49 years on June 21, 1975. Together, they had their daughter, Kimberly, in 1980, followed by Janine in 1989. Jim was a loving father and husband, always looking to make his three girls happy while sharing his love of the Golden Oldies, creating holidays to remember, and raising his children to love and create lives of which they were proud.
Jim’s greatest accomplishment was the love he had for his wife, Jeanne. He never stopped worrying about her, and the love he has for her showed until the very end.
Over the years, Jim has received many awards for his dedication, including but not limited to, the Teacher of the Year by the Utah Education Association and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters through CEU. He also held the title of library board member, Carbon County Educational Association president elect and CCA President, as well as many other titles through Carbon High School. James also proudly served his church in the Knights of Columbus.
“I love what I did, I think that’s the difference. If you love it, you show it.”
James is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jeanne; his daughters, Kimberly (Clinton) Broadhead, Janine (Derrick) Wilson; brother, Randy (Barbara) Thompson; grandchildren, Johnathon, Katherine, Emma and Willie.
Funeral Mass, Saturday, March 23, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church. A vigil service will take place Friday evening at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street, Price, Utah 84501) at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at Mitchell Funeral Home Friday and Saturday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of James online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.