Cmdr James Conrad Thompson
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Commander James Conrad Thompson, USN (Ret.) Born on March 8, 1933 and passed away on August 16, 2022 age 89. Our father went by many names or titles depending on what part of his life you knew him. He was known as "Conrad" to his immediate family, "James" to his military friends and "Jim" to his business friends and colleagues, but our dad carried the name "Grand Poppy" for his 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandkids of which he was very proud.
Jim was born in Stanton, TN to Floyd and Blanche Thompson along with his loving sister Voncile Shoaf. In 1950, he graduated from Byars Hall High School in Covington, TN. Jim attended the University of Tennessee prior to entering Flight Training in 1954. He was a 1963 graduate of the University of Mississippi and a 1976 graduate from the University of Tennessee where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Knoxville.
After serving as a Navy Pilot, he became the Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron Twenty-Two, during the Vietnam War. To finish off his 21-year career in the Navy, Jim was Air Boss of the USS John F. Kennedy CVA 67. Jim retired to Knoxville, TN to be closer to his beloved Tennessee Vols. He worked at Overlook Hospital, The Sertoma Learning Center and Tennessee Valley Title Company where he retired (1998) a second time to enjoy boating, gardening and some travel. Jim was a member and Past President of the Knoxville Downtown Sertoma Club. He was also a life member of the Quiet Birdman organization and a member of Concord United Methodist Church.
In Jim's final years he became more interested in following the VOLS in every sport and watching politics on FOX News. He was rarely seen without a remote control in his hand and dared anyone to change the channel.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and his wife of 58 years, Margaret (Marie) Parrott Thompson.
He is survived by his three children Ken Thompson, Jeff Thompson (wife Debbie), Lori Glover (husband Rick). Grandchildren: Monet Crow (Nathaniel), Brennan Suits (Joe), Kalyn Forster (James), Kimble Manuel (Sam), Lindsey Campbell (Garrett), Katie Abbott (Ryan), Natalie Thompson, and Patrick Thompson. Great grandkids: Theodore Crow; Joseph, Elias, Tinley, Zadie and Oaklyn Suits; Kaisley, Kendra, Makena, Nova, and Capree Forster; and Evelyn Abbott. Several nieces and nephews are included in Jim's family.
Graveside services were held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 11:00 am, Greenwood Cemetery, 3500 Tazewell Pike, 37918.
Donations can be made to Concord United Methodist Church's Habitat for Humanity Building Program (11020 Roane Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934) or to HonorAir Knoxville, serving Veterans (P.O. Box 12990, Knoxville, TN 37912).
Our family would like to thank the following for their care, help and advice for our dad: Morning Pointe Knoxville - Westland Drive (too many names to mention), Amedysis Hospice Care (Ashley), Always Best Care (DeAnna) and Westmoreland Health & Rehab Center (Angela & Gary). We were blessed by all the caregivers who helped our dad in the last 3 years.