Obituary of James Kenneth Thompson

Parkston – James Kenneth Thompson, 75, went to his heavenly home Tuesday, April 23 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston. Memorial mass will be Monday, April 29 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Visitation will be Sunday, April 28 from 5 to 7 pm with a 6:30 pm prayer service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston.

Jim was born October 19, 1943 to Ellis and Ella (Prien) Thompson in Parkston, SD. He attended country school and Parkston High School, graduating in 1961. He was united in marriage to Judy Blankenship on July 18, 1964 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria, SD. The couple made their home in Parkston where Jim worked for the locker, Leader Hardware, Schulz Electric, and owned and operated Thompson Digging. Later he drove for Terry's Propane and Parkston Grain and Feed. His real passion, and where he made the biggest impact, was caring for others, checking in on them, visiting, and doing volunteer work. His friends and family lovingly referred to this as Jim "doing his rounds." He was always ready to talk, share a smile, wink, tell jokes and laugh. He loved spending time with family, which for him included many lifelong friends, the fire department, and his cousins, who were like siblings to him. He also volunteered at Avera St. Benedict Hospital and was the groundskeeper for the Milltown Cemetery. Jim went to his heavenly home Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston at the age of 75.

Grateful for having shared his life are his 2 children: Kent (Tricia) Thompson of Algonquin, IL and Tonya (Ried) Holien of Watertown, SD; 7 grandchildren: Sam, Ella and Lucas Thompson and Rachel, Tessa, Cate and Gabriel Holien; a sister, Nellie Green of Parkston; a brother, Larry (Kay) Thompson of Fremont, NE; a brother-in-law, Al Solay of Yankton, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Ella Thompson; wife, Judy; and 5 siblings: Dorothea Peterson, Warren Thompson, Viola Thompson, Vivian Solay and Dale Thompson.