James R. Thompson

I met Jim at Illinois State University in 1995 when he was a new assistant professor and I was finishing my doctoral degree while teaching classes in the SED department. Jim welcomed me as a peer, a co-equal, and a valued faculty member, even though I was not on a tenure track. After my graduation from ISU, Jim and I kept in contact and he mentored me in my early days as a professor. He invited me to serve on a CEC-DADD committee, which led to a publication, but more importantly, to...

So sorry for your loss and the difficulties of this awful and fast moving disease. May you each find ways to cherish his legacy in your lives and keep his memory alive for each other. Hugs!

I can feel your pain with your loss of Jim my Wife was lost to CJD 15 years ago in Lincoln at57 God Bless your family

I knew Jim when we shared a trip to France going to an IDD conference. I wish his family and friends good memories.

To Jim's Family. I was the chair of the ISU Committee back in the 1990s that recommended that Jim be Chair of the SED Dept. We saw each other frequently after that, and he was an outstanding Department Chairman. I retired in 2008, but had a chance meeting with Jim outside DeGarmo Hall after that. It was so clear that he had been an outstanding leader of an important Dept. I send the family my sincere condolences for your loss. Jim Thompson was one of ISU's finest. Dr. Ed Hines,...

Dear Aprile and family, We are so sorry! What a shock. You are in our heart as you wrestle with the loss of this dear, good man. I have many memories of Jim, but one of the most vivid is of walking Haley and Limerick together. Love, Jill and Lexa

was very sad to hear of Jim´s passing- Zimmm- as I knew him. We enjoyed thoughtful discussions about disability and supports, great laughs at AAIDD and IASSID conferences (Halifax 2012 was one memorable conference!), and fantastic conversations about our families. I fondly remember how Zimmm spoke so proudly of his wife and family. Wishing you peace, Jim, we owe you gratitude for your contributions to the field. Nathalie from Montreal

Aprile this is Lynne Bessler/ Westerfield. Soooo sorry for hearing about JTs horrible disease that he had and that he passed! I´m crying my heart hurts for you and your family who had to endure going thru this with such an intelligent loving man. My dad had a Brain tumor the last year and. Half of his life. It was so hard to see my dad an intelligent loving man like JT. I had my dad here at my house for a while till he couldn´t walk any more then had to place him in assisted living with full...