Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameJames C. “Sam” Thompson 
Birth22 Jul 1919, Stanly County, NC
Death12 Jun 2012, VA Medical Center, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC
BurialSalisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC
FatherJasper Robinson Thompson (1891-1967)
MotherMary Ethel Cranford (1891-1986)
Spouses
Birth14 Dec 1925, Stanly County, NC
Death2 Jul 2005
FatherClarence Alexander Fesperman (1905-1968)
MotherJulia Mae Poplin (1904-1966)
Marriage15 Oct 1944
ChildrenSandra Gail (Died as Infant)
Jim
Patti
Steve
Notes for James C. “Sam” Thompson
James C. Thompson
ROCKWELL - James C. "Sam" Thompson Sr., age 92, of Holshouser Road, passed peacefully while surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at the WG "Bill" Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury.
Sam was born in Stanly County on July 22, 1919, to the late Jasper R. Thompson and Mary Ethel Cranford Thompson. He grew up in Albemarle and, after high school graduation, joined the U.S. Coast Guard. During this time, he met Julia "June" Ruth Fesperman of Rockwell. They married on Oct. 15, 1944, and embarked on adventures during their 60-year marriage.
Dedicated to the service of his country, Sam chose a military career that spanned several decades. He served briefly in the U.S. Coast Guard and then spent many more years in the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam prior to the Vietnam War and the Mediterranean during the "Cold War" period. His assignments included service on a submarine, the USS Red Fish, and three destroyer ships, USS Tingey, USS JC Owens, and USS Noa. He retired from the Navy in 1962.
Sam and June raised three children and were stationed in a variety of places, including San Diego, Long Beach and Mare Island, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; New London, Conn.; Norfolk, Va.; Green Cove Springs, Fla.; and Charleston, S.C. After retirement, they returned to Rockwell and built a home on the family farm. He worked at John's Tavern on Stokes Ferry Road until retiring again.
Sam was a proud Life Member of the NRA and was also active in establishing the Rockwell VFW Post 9134, where he was Commander and Life Member. Cooking was a passion of his, evident even while residing at the VA Medical Center, Building 42, Community Living Center during the last two years. He leaves behind many wonderful friends among the staff and residents at the VA Center.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June Thompson; his infant daughter, Sandra Gail Thompson; granddaughter Susan Madden of Alaska; and sister Ruby Thompson Troutman of Albemarle.
Sam will be greatly missed by family and friends. Family members left to cherish his memory are son Jim Thompson (Jan) of Encinitas, Calif.; daughter Patti Thompson Odin (Mike) of Eagle River, Alaska; son Steve Thompson (Tatiana) of Rockwell; niece Beckie Hammill Loflin (Doug) of Mooresville; grandchildren Richard Thompson of Ventura, Calif., Debbie Thompson Isherwood of Surprise, Ariz., Travis Madden of Eagle River, Alaska; Katie Madden of Eagle River, Alaska; and Shane Loflin of Charlotte. Sam had the joy of being "Grandpa Sam" to eight great-grandchildren. He leaves two sisters: Kathleen Swaringen of Porter and Mildred Smith of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Family and friends will be invited to gather for Sam's memorial later in the fall at which time he will be interred with full military honors at the National Cemetery, Salisbury VAMC.
Memorials: Memorial gifts in James Thompson's name may be sent to VAVS, Salisbury VA Medical Center, 1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28144, account 9136.
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury is assisting the Thompson family.
Salisbury Post, 17 Jun 2012
ROCKWELL - James C. "Sam" Thompson Sr., age 92, of Holshouser Road, passed peacefully while surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at the WG "Bill" Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury.
Sam was born in Stanly County on July 22, 1919, to the late Jasper R. Thompson and Mary Ethel Cranford Thompson. He grew up in Albemarle and, after high school graduation, joined the U.S. Coast Guard. During this time, he met Julia "June" Ruth Fesperman of Rockwell. They married on Oct. 15, 1944, and embarked on adventures during their 60-year marriage.
Dedicated to the service of his country, Sam chose a military career that spanned several decades. He served briefly in the U.S. Coast Guard and then spent many more years in the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam prior to the Vietnam War and the Mediterranean during the "Cold War" period. His assignments included service on a submarine, the USS Red Fish, and three destroyer ships, USS Tingey, USS JC Owens, and USS Noa. He retired from the Navy in 1962.
Sam and June raised three children and were stationed in a variety of places, including San Diego, Long Beach and Mare Island, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; New London, Conn.; Norfolk, Va.; Green Cove Springs, Fla.; and Charleston, S.C. After retirement, they returned to Rockwell and built a home on the family farm. He worked at John's Tavern on Stokes Ferry Road until retiring again.
Sam was a proud Life Member of the NRA and was also active in establishing the Rockwell VFW Post 9134, where he was Commander and Life Member. Cooking was a passion of his, evident even while residing at the VA Medical Center, Building 42, Community Living Center during the last two years. He leaves behind many wonderful friends among the staff and residents at the VA Center.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June Thompson; his infant daughter, Sandra Gail Thompson; granddaughter Susan Madden of Alaska; and sister Ruby Thompson Troutman of Albemarle.
Sam will be greatly missed by family and friends. Family members left to cherish his memory are son Jim Thompson (Jan) of Encinitas, Calif.; daughter Patti Thompson Odin (Mike) of Eagle River, Alaska; son Steve Thompson (Tatiana) of Rockwell; niece Beckie Hammill Loflin (Doug) of Mooresville; grandchildren Richard Thompson of Ventura, Calif., Debbie Thompson Isherwood of Surprise, Ariz., Travis Madden of Eagle River, Alaska; Katie Madden of Eagle River, Alaska; and Shane Loflin of Charlotte. Sam had the joy of being "Grandpa Sam" to eight great-grandchildren. He leaves two sisters: Kathleen Swaringen of Porter and Mildred Smith of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Family and friends will be invited to gather for Sam's memorial later in the fall at which time he will be interred with full military honors at the National Cemetery, Salisbury VAMC.
Memorials: Memorial gifts in James Thompson's name may be sent to VAVS, Salisbury VA Medical Center, 1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28144, account 9136.
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury is assisting the Thompson family.
Salisbury Post, 17 Jun 2012