James E. Thompson

James E. Thompson, 74, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:27 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at his home. Born May 10, 1941 in Huntington, he was the son of L. Neal and Audrey E.  (Teusch) Thompson.

He graduated from Huntington High School with the Class of 1959, went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree at Huntington College in 1963 and a Master’s Degree from St. Francis College. On June 6, 1964 he married Pamela M. Gamble. Jim taught at Columbia City High School for 38 years, retiring in 2001 and then taught Constitutional Law at I.P.F.W. He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.

An avid golfer, Jim learned to golf at a young age. He was not only a four year varsity golfer in high school, but also in college. A year after he began teaching at Columbia City Joint High School, Jim began coaching boy’s golf and was their head coach until 1989. In 1993 he became the head coach for the girl’s golf team until retiring from coaching in July of 2014. For seven years, he also was an assistant coach with the boy’s golf team. In 2006 he was inducted into the Indiana High School Golf Hall of Fame and in 1998 was awarded DEKKO Teacher of the Year.

Education was very important to Jim. He wanted all his students to feel comfortable around him and he was very involved with all his students and did so much for the school like going on student trips, being a student council supervisor, announcing at the school games, refereeing basketball games both for the junior and high schools but also for the NCAA Women’s Division II.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Pamela Thompson; son, Andrew Thompson of Columbia City; daughter, Anne (Tom) Titus of Columbia City; grandchildren, Baily Rentschler, Justin, Jaxon and Dylin Titus; mother-in-law, Edna E. Gamble of Goshen; sister-in-law, Paula (Robert) Shively of Somerset, Pa.; and brother-in-law, Vic (Jo) Gamble of Mentone. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and father-in-law, Duane Gamble.

Visitation is 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S Line St, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior. Father Gary Sigler will be officiating. Burial follows at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the James E. Thompson Scholarship c/o the Community Foundation of Whitley County, 400 N. Whitley Street, Columbia City. This scholarship is being set up to help a student who is planning to purse a degree in education, especially a first generation student who does not have parents who attained a degree.