James A. Thompson

THOMPSON, James A.


Born: Jan 9, 1944
Died: Aug 17, 2005

Remembered for his love of family, career in law enforcement, passion for sailing, motorcycling, and golf, he is survived by wife Scarlett, sisters Carol Muehlmann of Port Huron, MI, and Janet Bowers of Alvada, OH, 19 nieces and nephews, and 28 great-nieces and nephews. Services will be at 3:00 PM on Aug. 27 at The Lord's Church, 4427 Mather Blvd., Mather, CA.

James Albert Thompson had a 29-year career in law enforcement. He died peacefully at home on August 17 after a two-year battle with heart and lung disease.

Jim was born in Port Huron and graduated from Port Huron High School in 1961. He joined the Air Force in 1962 and was stationed at Mather Air Force Base for his four-year tour. In December of 1963 Jim met his future wife, Scarlett Asher, at a USO dance. Exactly one-and-a-half years later they were married. They recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. Jim started taking night classes at Sacramento City College while still in the Air Force. After his discharge he attended college full time, working toward a degree in law enforcement. In the fall of 1967 he became a Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff and resigned three years later when he graduated from Sacramento State College. In 1970, Jim started his career with U.S. Treasury. He worked with IRS Internal Affairs for a year and then became a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The last 10 years of his career Jim was the western states polygrapher of BATF. He had many colorful and entertaining stories from his field agent days that he loved to share.

Jim and Scarlett shared a passion for sailing. In the seventies, they were members of the Catalina fleet on Folsom Lake and also had a sailboat berthed in San Francisco Bay. Jim's most exciting trip was helping three friends sail a 36-footer across the Atlantic, from Puerto to New York. Jim bought his first motorcycle in 1966, a Suzuki 150. His 6'5" frame overpowered the motorcycle and he was fond of saying that he felt like John Wayne on a dog. He graduated to Harleys in 1980 and joined Capital City Motorcycle Club in 1981. Jim and Scarlett became life members in 2001. With Jim as rider and Scarlett as passenger, they logged over 100,000 miles together, including trips to the Calgary Stampede and Sturgis, SD. After Jim became ill, he bought a Harley trike and trailer, so he could take his oxygen and still ride. Jim was a member of SIRS Branch 95 and enjoyed his weekly round of golf. He taught Scarlett how to play, and they enjoyed golfing together from Hawaii to Cancun and Myrtle Beach. Jim was a man whom everyone liked and respected. He had a great love of family, always there with a helping hand.