Cody Thompson

James Cody Thompson
December 20, 1986—October 9, 2021

Cody Thompson, 34, of Media, Pennsylvania passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Cody was born in Syracuse, New York and grew up in Brewerton and Central Square, New York. He attended Paul V. Moore High School and completed his Bachelor of Science in Business at SUNY-New Paltz, New York. After college, Cody settled in Media, Pennsylvania and held several roles at State Farm Insurance Company. In 2015, he earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation (CPCU). That same year, he joined United States Liability Insurance Company (USLI) where he was an Underwriting Systems Coordinator.

When Cody was 8 years old, he was granted a wish by the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Central New York to be a marine mammal trainer at Marine World Africa in Vallejo, California. As trainer for the day, he learned how to train a pair of Orca whales, fed dolphins, and orchestrated dolphin tricks with his trainer whistle at the marine show. He was so beloved by the staff at Marine World that they decided to name their newest baby dolphin “Cody” in his honor. His story was featured on Animal Planet for several years thereafter. Cody the Dolphin lived for 20 years and brought joy to many children and families.

This wish inspired Cody to give back to others throughout his life. In 2009, he became a Wish Granter and Speaker for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, first sharing the story of his wish at a young age. Over the last 12 years, Cody had supported the organization by telling his story and granting dozens of wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Cody and his wife, Jen, became a wish-granting team when they met in 2015. Together, they have granted many wishes for children throughout the Philadelphia region. In addition to his work with MAW, he raised thousands of dollars to fund childhood cancer research by volunteering to shave his head annually for the past decade for the St. Baldricks Foundation. Each year, Cody would raise the bar to attract more donors by giving the highest donor the right to choose an outlandish hairstyle to wear on the day his head was shaved. Over the years, these included coloring his hair green or hot pink, and styling it into a signature mohawk. This past year, Cody held a virtual raffle, generously gifting his handcrafted cutting boards in exchange for donations.

In the last two years, Cody became a self-taught woodworker, creating beautiful live edge tables and expertly-crafted charcuterie boards. In fact, his work became so popular that he had a waitlist for custom orders. He worked tirelessly to perfect every piece, often refinishing a blemish that only he could see. He was modest about his abilities and everyone who followed the “JCT Woodshop” on social media would agree.

Cody was loved by many. Everyone he met instantly became a friend for life. Cody has had the same group of friends since childhood. As his life path took him to new cities, his circle of friends grew from college friends to State Farm to USLI, he made countless lifelong friends along the way.

In 2015, Cody met the love of his life on Match. “Do you like whiskey by any chance?” he asked Jen in a message. The question that would change both of their lives forever. The two talked for hours outside of a pub in her town, learning about each other’s likes and dislikes, and hopes and dreams for the future. A few weeks later, Cody would find himself in the hospital. For three weeks, Jen stayed by his side. They were engaged in February 2017 after a magical scavenger-hunt proposal that led Jen to a park where Cody had laid out flowers in the grass asking her to be his wife. They married in a lakeside ceremony in the Poconos in June 2018 surrounded by family and friends, and settled in their home in Media that same year.

In Media, they found friendship in a group of runners at Bryn Mawr Running Company. Later, they would find the Media 12—a group of amazing neighbors who have become their second family, which continues to grow.

Cody is survived by his two dogs, Prince and Simba and his best friend, forever dance partner, adventure-buddy, biggest fan, and his lifelong love, Jen. He is also survived by his mother, Pam Thompson (Redmond) of Lewisburg, PA. His father and step-mother, Ben and Lisa Thompson of Bernhards Bay, NY. His siblings, Ali (Thompson) Patch, wife of Josh of Pulaski, NY and Taylor Fleming of Lewisburg, PA. Cody is also survived by his grandparents, James and Marian Redmond of Concord, OH; and seven nephews and nieces: Syllus Thompson, Benjamin Leflar, Connor Fraim, Paisley Fraim, Maxwell Elmo, Clementine Elmo, and Arlo Elmo. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ben and Marion Thompson.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, October 16th from 9am to noon at the United Methodist Church of West Chester at 129 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382. Funeral services will follow at noon. Masks are required for all in attendance. All are invited to attend burial at Media Cemetery at 40 Kirk Lane, Media, PA 19063. An outdoor reception celebrating Cody’s life will follow at the Thompson home (backyard) at 18 E. Glen Circle, Media, PA 19063. In honor of Cody, please wear a flannel shirt to the reception and be ready to sing some country music and share stories.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you make a donation in memory of Cody to one of the following organizations:

• Make-a-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia https://wish.org/philadesv


• Make-a-Wish Foundation of Central New York https://wish.org/cny


• Providence Animal Center in Media, PA https://providenceac.org/


• Baldricks Foundation https://www.stbaldricks.org/

Funeral arrangements provided by Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home
www.haganfuneralhome.com