James W. “Jim” Thompson II

James W. “Jim” Thompson II, 84, Topeka (Harveyville), passed peacefully April 14, 2022.

He was born in Harveyville, Kansas April 7, 1938, the first of seven children, to James W. and Mary (Cunningham) Thompson Sr.

He was a 1956 graduate of Harveyville High School. He grew up on horseback, following his dad and hands handling cattle, driving them to the stockyards to be loaded onto the train and remained horseback well into his 70’s. His father also taught him to drive a team and farm. He farmed for several years with his dad and for himself, using big horses off and on to farm and feed cattle. Most of his life was spent cowboying for ranchers, feedlots and sale barns. He rode or drove hundreds of horses for himself or others in his years and loved every minute of it, but he loved his family even more.

Jim was preceded in death by his true love, Eleanor “Ann” (Provost) Thompson, they missed 50 years by a month. He was also preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Mike Mills. He is survived by his son James “Jay” Thompson III and his partner Dita Tijerina, his daughter Rita Mills, granddaughter Melanie (Mills) Bergers and her husband Josh, grandson Christopher James Michael “CJ” Mills, and two great grandchildren Bear and Ellie Bergers. He is also survived by his six siblings, Janice, Mary Ann, Richard, Beth, Carolyn and Sara Jean.

Services will be Saturday, April 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at the Harveyville United Methodist Church, 371 Wabaunsee Ave, Harveyville, KS 66431 with a light lunch to follow at the church. Please dress casually. Cowboys and cowgirls, he would have loved for you to wear your hats.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Harveyville United Church, sent in care of the church, 371 Wabaunsee Ave, Harveyville, KS 66431.