James William "Jim" Thompson

1939 - 2025

James William "Jim" Thompson

June 18, 1939 - September 2, 2025

Charlotte, North Carolina - After a courageous and inspiring battle with cancer, James William "Jim" Thompson died peacefully at home on September 2, 2025, surrounded by his family. He leaves a legacy of generosity, creativity and determination – wrapped in a wicked sense of humor and a million-dollar smile.

Jim was born on June 18, 1939, in Dunn, NC, the middle of three boys to the late Lucy Pope Thompson and William Jesse Thompson. There was never a lack of energy or motivation running through their home. Jim and his brothers loved playing football in high school, and he was somewhat of a Renaissance man, also playing the saxophone and working on entrepreneurial endeavors from a very young age.

Family was always the center of Jim's life – starting with 64 years of marriage to Meredith Cromartie, also of Dunn. The Thompsons and the Cromarties were old family friends – their grandmothers were best friends, and their mothers were in each other's weddings.

Jim and Meredith both attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduated on a Monday, married the following Saturday, and the rest is history. After graduation, they moved to Birmingham, where Jim worked for American Cast Iron Pipe Company. They made close friends with whom they traveled throughout the years. Later, Jim and Meredith were delighted to be Tar Heel parents for 12 consecutive years.

In 1963 they moved to Charlotte, where Jim started as a trainee with North Carolina National Bank, which later became NationsBank and ultimately Bank of America. He treasured his career at NationsBank, where he served in numerous executive positions. He understood the intricacies of banking and loved being involved with the bank's growth, including the launch of interstate banking, building an investment bank, and leading the design/construction of the NationsBank (now Bank of America) Tower in uptown Charlotte. But he always found the most satisfaction in mentoring and building teams of great people, many of whom became close friends. He retired 33 years later as president of Global Finance, vice chairman of NationsBank Corp., and chairman of its subsidiary boards.

Jim loved Charlotte and helping it grow in the right way. He served in leadership positions on many boards such as the Charlotte Chamber, Charlotte Latin School, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Mint Museum, NC Outward Bound School and Pfeiffer University. He chaired capital campaigns to create facilities and opportunities for future generations, including at Myers Park United Methodist Church and UNC-Charlotte. It was very important for him to pass along to his children his core belief in serving the community.

Once his grandchildren were born, Jim became "Pop" to the family. He loved big family dinners and the art of giving a great surprise gift, reminding everyone that once you expected it, a gift does lose its luster. He was able to build most anything and may have missed his calling to be an architect. And he was notorious for listening to the twangiest, deeply annoying country music.

The golf course and the bridge table were places where Jim loved to spend time with friends. If you wanted to find him at his happiest, it was when he and Meredith were at Wrightsville Beach or in Linville (or Lake Norman back in the day) – laughing with family and friends on the porch. Especially when all the family piled in together.

He loved the Lord and being a faithful member of his church.

Jim is survived by a family that absolutely adored him, including his wife Meredith, children Ann Prater (Harlan), Lucy Dean (Clark) and James William "Bill" Thompson, Jr (Kristy); grandchildren Lucy Loose (Alex), Thompson Brock (Emily), Catherine Prater, Florence Curaca (Marcus), Savannah Dillard (Carter), Wills Thompson and Julia Thompson, as well as great-grandchildren James, Charles, Eleanor and Dottie. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Martha Thompson of Pasadena, CA, and Niki Thompson of Naples, FL, as well as a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his brothers Billy Thompson of CA and Tom Thompson of FL, and son-in-law David Brock of Charlotte.

The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jason Brancato, Dr. Peter Vorhees, Dr. Asim Amin, Dr. Richard White and so many teams throughout Levine Cancer Institute; Dr. J.P. McBryde and VIA Health Partners; Margie Greene; Deeda Coffey; and Angella Saunders and J.B. Ilukwe with Eloquent Home Care.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Monday, September 8, at 2:00pm, at Myers Park United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow in Jubilee Hall. The service will be live-streamed at https://myersparkumc.org/worship/memorials-funerals/ for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, please kindly honor Jim's memory through Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207, or Levine Cancer Institute, 7800 Providence Road, Suite 208, Charlotte, NC 28226.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.