James Granville Thompson

James Granville Thompson, known to some as, “Smoke” “Jimbo” and “Jumpin’ Jack”, 72, of Elliston, Virginia, went to ride his motorcycle in the sky on the afternoon of November 22, 2022.


Jim was known by many, loved by many, and cared for many just the same.


He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Clarence Cecil “C. C.” Thompson; grandmother, Madge Beatrice Craig Thompson; father, Clarence Cecil Thompson, Jr.; mother, Agnes Pink Lindsey Janse; nephew, David Craig Thompson; cousin, Jon Alexander Armbrust; and his favorite dog of 14 years, Blaze.


Jim’s loved ones who are still with us are his loving wife of 35 years, best friend and forever best sex partner, Sylvia Thompson; his sons Aaron G. Thompson; Elijah G. Cuellar and his partner Allison D. Allen; his daughter, Samantha A. King and her partner Jamie W. Robinson, Sr; and his pride and joy, Lindsay B. Thompson and her husband Ryan J. Antal. His siblings, who he admired, Brenda. J. Pahde; Cecil F. Thompson and his wife Carol L. Thompson; Carol J. Anderson and her husband Eddie W. Anderson; and Melissa A. Thompson. His in-laws including his caring mother in-law, Amparo Tagle; his amigo and brother in-law Jaime Tagle and his wife Andrea Tagle; sister in-laws Rosemary Rivera and her husband Carlos Avila; Cynthia Hall; and brother in-laws Javier Tagle and Juan Tagle. His best friends, Pasquale Pino and David Stilton. All his cousins, grandbabies, nephews and nieces, and countless friends. Additionally, Jim had recently acquired the best little pup, Poncho.


Anyone who knew Jim, knew who he was. He was a good father, a loving husband, a friend to all, and a great man. He spent his life chasing the wanderlust inside his heart and treated each day as an adventure. Jim kick-started his life in the jungles of Vietnam, coming home to ride through life on numerous motorcycles. When he wasn’t riding, he was on the road as a truck driver where he made many life-long friends. Jim was also a highly skilled mason, where there wasn’t a job he couldn’t do. He passed along his knowledge to his children, who have continued to utilize the skills he shared. Later in his life, Jim retired to live out the rest of his days with his wife and their animals, riding his bike if the sun was shining. Jim had a kind and honest heart, and he would tell it like it was no matter who you were. His door was always open, and he always had time to share a conversation.


Jim said goodbye to his earthly home while riding his motorcycle into the sunset, which is a mercy he had hoped for from our Lord above.


Jim loved to write poems, about everything and everyone he encountered. He would write a poem sitting at his kitchen table on the napkin in front of him, and it would bring you to tears. In memory of him, his older sister, Brenda, has shared a poem for him:


“There are no rules to love,

even when one of us is now up above,

The sun will shine brighter,

hard work becomes lighter,

each of us, is a real fighter!

Relax alas, without being called an ass,

enjoy peace without having to fight,

knowing I can see you in the stars tonight!

Your face will always stay in my heart,

that means we will never, ever part!

Your Sissy BJ!”


A celebration of Jim’s life will take place on Saturday December 3rd, 2022 at their home in Elliston, from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM. If you would like their address, please reach out to Lindsay Thompson at 720-295-1624. Jim did not wish to have a funeral, and the family will have a private burial ceremony with military honors at the Thompson Family Cemetery with Pastor John Collins from Seneca Baptist Church.


The family sends their utmost gratitude to all the physicians, nurses, phlebotomists, and staff at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia as they helped keep Jim going for as long as they could.