[br][br]James M. Thompson was born in Niche North Dakota on July 26th 1921, to Fred and Esther (O'Leary) Thompson. "Jimmy" excelled in his studies and moved to Spokane in 1939 to attend Gonzaga University. His strong sense of social justice led him to pursue a law degree but a lack of funding forced him to leave Gonzaga after two years. After agreeing to give a friend a ride to Kaiser Aluminum's Trentwood plant for a job interview, he decided to put in his own application and was hired immediately.
Given Jimmy's outgoing personality and leadership skills, he found a place in Local 338 of the United Steelworkers Union. It was his goal to secure fairness and economic security for all workers. He led a group of members known as the "Young Turks" and was elected Local President at the age of 28. He transformed the office of President into a full time position and oversaw the building of a local union hall, constructed of brick as a sign of strength and permanence.
He was then appointed to the Steelworkers International Union and was eventually assigned to the Los Angeles area. It was there that he met Dolores "Mike" Mulheran who was a stewardess for Trans World Airlines. After a brief courtship they were wed on March 2, 1954, in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Two years later, they returned to Spokane. Their union produced five children, Colleen, Terry, Tim (Mary), Pat (Lori) and Brian.
He was a skilled negotiator and rose to become the Sub District Director of the Union and oversaw multiple labor contracts around the Pacific Northwest and Montana. Although described as a "Union War Horse", he was respected by management and members alike and formed many friendships with both. He worked with elected officials at all levels including U.S. Senators, Congressmen and Governors. He was at New York's Madison Square Garden when Marilyn Monroe sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy. He retired in 1982 and remained in Spokane until recently moving to Everett to be closer to his family and grandchildren (Megan, Caitlin Ryan, Charlie, Tom, Dan and Joe).
Jimmy led a full life, perhaps too full at some points. He loved sports, particularly Notre Dame Football, fishing, hunting and politics. He hated funerals so he is not having one. In the Irish tradition, please share a good story with family and friends and raise a glass in his memory.
Irish Tenors - The Old Man
The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last goodbyes
His souls been blessed
He's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone
He was more than just a father
A teacher my best friend
He can still be heard
In the tunes we shared
When we play them on our own
I never will forget him
For he made me "what I am"
Though he may be gone
Memories linger on
And I miss him, the old man
As a boy he'd take me walking
By mountain field and stream
And he showed me things
Not known to kings
And secret between him and me
Like the colors of the pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly
And the years roll by
For a father and a son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance
To tell him thanks
For everything he's done