James Thompson

James Walter Thompson, Sr. 84, of Asheville, NC passed away peacefully Saturday, December 20, 2025. James was born in Maiden, NC October 3, 1941 to the late Rev. Dr. Herbert W. Thompson and Elizabeth Gibbs Thompson.

James graduated from Catawba Rosenwald High School and was selected as a student school bus drivers and would safely transport students to school. He participated in sports and excelled in academics. After high school, he attended A & T State University, Greensboro, NC and graduated with a degree in Auto Body Mechanics. At an early age, he became a member of Maiden Chapel Baptist Church.

James and his wife, Carolyn Hewitt, moved to Asheville, NC in the 1960's. and were the parents of two sons, James Darnell Thompson and James (Jimmy) Walter Thompson, Jr. James' first job in Asheville was at the Biltmore Lanes Bowling Alley. He worked on the bowling pinsetter machinery. James and Carolyn met their lifetime friends, John Young and family at the Biltmore Lanes. They were active members of Hill Street Baptist Church.
In 1968, he started working for Carolina Power & Light Company, now Duke Energy. James integrated the company by being the first Black employee to work on the power lines. This was so impressive, the Asheville newspaper wrote about his job. He excelled in his work at and became one of the top supervisors. He was well respected and admired. James retired at age 55 and maintained friendships with former employees after retirement. He regularly company and family social gatherings which he enjoyed immensely. In 1974, James married Jean Sigmon. They attended a lot of church events as well as social gatherings with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

James loved outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, boating, and gardening. He also had a love for cars which he kept clean and working. When he first moved to Asheville, James loved riding his motorcycle. He always looked forward to traveling with his camper and boat to the lake. He also traveled with friends to fish at different locations. James purchased two beagle hunting dogs when he was young and went with his father on his first hunting trip. He enjoyed looking at old Western movies and was an excellent cook. He learned his great cooking skills from his mother. James was kindhearted, generous, sincere and a great friend. He visited friends at health care facilities on a regular basis. He always made sure that his loved ones and friends had what they needed. One great example during Hurricane Helene, he stood in long lines and got food and other supplies and distributed it to friends and some families. As you may remember, there were so many people who could not travel to different sites during the hurricane but James traveled in his old faithful truck and delivered goods to others. Overwhelming thanks to his daughter, Delreatha (Jane) Sigmon, for her tireless love and caregiving.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by son, James Darnell Thompson.

He is survived by son, James (Jimmy) Walter Thompson, Jr.; grandson, Deandre Dowell, three great grandchildren; step children, Delreatha Jane Sigmon, Tammy James and Victor James; siblings, Betty Brown, Elaine Jones, Linda Stroud (Robert) and a host of other relatives and friends.

Thank you all for loving James. We will miss him dearly.

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