Mr. James "Choo" Henry Thompson Jr., 88 of Charlotte, transitioned to enternal rest on Wednesday September 11, 2019 at The Pavilion Health Center at Brightmore.   He was born on January 27, 1931 and the son of the late Jimmie and Odessa Thompson

James, affectionately called Jimmie by family and friends, graduated from Price High School in Salisbury, NC at the age of 15.  Having the choice to attend college on an athletic or music scholarship, he chose the athletic scholarship, although he had a great love for music.  He entered Benedict College with a double major in Biology and Physical Education and completed his education at DC Teachers College and the University of Maryland.

Jimmie enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1952 and served four years.  He was honorably discharged August 1956.

With his amazing athletic ability, he played Canadian football for the London Lourdes in 1957; then he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1958 as punter and halfback.

Jimmie met Robbie D. Spears on the library steps of Livingston College and they began a life together in Detroit, Michigan, then later moved to Washington, DC.  They had three daughters, Karmen, Melodye and Leslie.  Daughter Melodye and son-in-law, Fiore Farina, Sr. preceded him in death.

After landing a pharmaceutical sales position with Merck, Sharpe & Dohme (currently Merck & Co.), he and his family relocated to Richmond VA. He was one of the first African Americans employed by Merck.

Jim Thompson was loved and respected by many.  He was a Christian devoted family man, father and grandfather.  He was an active member of First United Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA where he served as a deacon, elder, and often shared his talents as a trumpeter and in the tenor section of various choirs in Richmond, VA and Washington, DC.  As mentioned, he had an immense love for music, specifically Classical and Jazz. He would often drive through the neighborhoods about 30 mph, windows down, blaring composers like Bach and Mozart.

Brother Thompson was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Epsilon Epsilon Chapter.  He was recently inducted into the Rowan County Athletic Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his beautiful wife of 62 years, Robbie D. Thompson; two daughters, Karmen D. Farina and Leslie C. Richardson (Paul); three grandsons, Daniel (Ta'Meia), Fiore (Heaven) and Anthony Farina; two step-granddaughters, Elizabeth Lee (Mitchell) and Nancy Young (Jen); eleven great-grandchildren, Fiore Jr., Angelique, Sophia, Noah, Amir and Liam Farina, Kaylee, Graham and Price Lee, Indiana and Francis Young; three nephews, one niece, other relatives and friends.

Jim Thompson lived a great fulfilling life, a student of the Bible and he always put God first.  He loved to play tennis, laugh, tell jokes.  He was just a sweet, charming, endearing gentleman until he was called Home.  He will be missed, but the wonderful memories and memory of his smile and his wink will help to sustain the Thompson family, for he is in a better place.