Obituarary of James B. Thompson of richland Parish as printed in the Richland Beacon News of Rayville, Louisiana on July 2, 1998 Submitted by Dot Golliher 7/29/1998 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Obituarary of James B. Thompson as printed in the Richland Beacon News of Rayville, Louisiana on July 2, 1998 Retired school superintendent dies James B. Thompson,93, retired superintendent of the Richland Parish School System, passed away on June 24,1998 after suffering a heart attack. Mr."Jimmy" Thompson was born February 1,1905 in Delhi,Louisiana and spent most of his adult life in Richland Parish where he was widely loved and deeply appreciated for his lifetime of service in the educational field. Funeral services were held at 10 A.M. on Saturday June 26, 1998 at the Rayville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Frank Jones officiating. Burial followed in the Rayville Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home of Rayville. After his youth in Delhi,Thompson moved with his family to Ruston, Louisiana, where he graduated from Ruston High School and later from Louisiana Tech University. In 1937 he received his Master of Education Degree from Louisiana State University. During his years as an educator, he served for several years at Wisner High School as a teacher and coach before lcoating in Delhi where he was principal at Delhi High School.Shortly afterward he was named Superintendent of the Richland Parish School System and became a resident of Rayville,Louisiana, parish seat. He served as superintendent until his retirement in 1964. During his years of leadership in the parish educational field, Thompson was recognized for his promotion of quality education,and for the progress of the parish school system. He was active in educational fraternities and related educational organizations.Among his many honors in education, he served as president of the Louisiana State Superintendents' Association and chairman of many educational committees on a local and state level.Former students of the parish hold fond memories of Thompson'swarm smile and friendly personality,and remember his deep interest in every child in school. Thompson was active thorughout his life in, church, youth, civic and educational activities. As a member of the Rayville United Methodist Church, Thompson taught a men's Sunday School Class for many years. He was co-chairman of the finance committee during construction of the church. He was also a member of the Rayville Kiwanis Club for many years. In 1990 Mr.& Mrs. Thompson were honored as Grand Marshals of the Rayville Kiwanis Christmas Parade. Thompson pursued many hobbies, including gardening, fishing, hunting, traveling, and visiting with old friends. He had a lifetime interest in sports, having played football and baseball during his high school and college years. In his adult years, he spent many happy hours on the golf course. In 1934 Thompson and Fanny Kelly married in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This year they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. In addition to his wife,survivors include two sons-James B. Thompson III and attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and William Ralph Thompson, a librarian at the University of Massachsetts: daughter-in-law Nancy Glisson Thompson and Nancy Blake Thompson: four grandchildren-Kelly Thompson Stevens, Nannette Thompson,Amy Thompson, and Dennis Thompson: other close family members, including a nephew James Hardy Bradley of Ruston, and a niece Maxine Mayer of Richardson, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were Joe Storey,Gerald Walter, Jerry Walter,John Purvis,Todd Stevens,Alan Bradley,Bill Bradley, and Dan Smith. Honorary pallbearers were the Administraton Board of the Rayville United Methodist Church, Basil Doles, Gene Holtzclaw,Kermit Walters and Tommy Smith. The family asked that memorials be made to the flower committee of Rayville Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice.