header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memory Of Our Poets

James Claude Thompson (1928-2017) - Class Of 1946

TUSCALOOSA – Dr. James Claude Thompson, age 89, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, died November 14, 2017, at his home in Capstone Village. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Frances Page Thompson and parents, Varna Bailey Thompson and James McCoy Thompson.

Survivors include his daughter, Tina Thompson Burroughs; grandchildren, Kristy Burroughs Edmondson (George) and Chad Anthony Burroughs; and great-grandchildren, Ryder Owen Edmondson, Lucy Elizabeth Edmondson, Finn Rhodes Edmondson and Rosie June Edmondson, all of Tuscaloosa, Ala. 

Dr. Thompson was a Psychiatrist in the United States Air Force from 1957-1959, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He married Frances Page Thompson on May 29, 1954. He did his internship in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 1959, he became a Psychiatrist at Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and remained there until retiring. He also worked at Indian Rivers Mental Health Center in Tuscaloosa, Selma, and Camden, Alabama.

Dr. Thompson was born on April 5, 1928, in Alexander City, Alabama. He was a 1946 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and the University of Alabama Medical School.

Dr. Thompson was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a very joyful and caring man who loved the Lord and his family. He loved Alabama football, ice cream, loved to sing and tell jokes. He loved birding all over the world. He was a world traveler for many years, visiting places such as Ireland, Scotland, Germany, China, Egypt, Greece and many more.

Dr. Thompson was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, where he was a Deacon, Elder, Sunday school teacher and a member of the choir for many years. He was a member and past president of the Alabama Ornithological Society. Dr. Thompson was a volunteer at Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa and led a Bible study every week at LaRocca Nursing Home in Tuscaloosa for many years.Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, November 19, 2017, at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home with The Reverend Michael R. Bailey, Pastor Jon Wiggins, and Reverend Lou Ann Sellers officiating. Burial will follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Chad Burroughs and George Edmondson, Bill Walker, Jr., Allen Averette, Mark Cole and Marc Brakefield.

Honorary pallbearers are Pat Page of Opp, Ala., Bill and Annette Walker of Tuscaloosa, Ala., L.G. and Diane Walker, Tom Walker of Tuscaloosa, Ala, David Cole of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jerry and Carol Hoffman of Tuscaloosa, Ala., special caregivers, Clarence Commack, Rhonya Wiggins, April Wallace, Twilla Cummings, Mary Jo Cummings, Sharon Kirkman, residents and staff of Capstone Village, staff of Bryce Hospital and Indian Rivers Mental Health Center, staff of Amydesis Home Health and Hospice; Dr. H. J. Fritz, Dr. Sakina Kamal, Dr. Donald Howe, Jordan Plaster and Beckham D. Palmer, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to:

Frist Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The Salvation Army 

or your favorite charity

Condolences may be offered at www.heritagechapeltuscaloosa.com.

Published in Tuscaloosa News on Nov. 18, 2017