James 'Jim' Grannis Thompson, 87
James “Jim” Grannis Thompson died peacefully at home surrounded by his children on Jan. 20, 2022, at the age of 87.
Jim was born Nov. 27, 1934, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to parents Marjorie and Boyd Thompson. Following high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1953 to 1955 on a floating dry dock as a metal smith petty officer 2nd Class, spending time in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. After serving, Jim was accepted into the Architecture program at the University of Minnesota, he joined the Alpha Rho Chi fraternity and graduated in 1959. Jim met the love of his life, Carol “Honey” Quade, and the two were married in 1961. The newlyweds headed out west to ski bum for the winter at Alta while working at Peruvian Lodge in Alta, Utah, making many friends and fond memories. After skiing for the year, Jim and Honey lived in Seattle and Phoenix. Arizona was one of Jim and Honey’s favorite places to live, before settling in Minneapolis where Jim and Honey raised their family and Jim started his architecture practice.
Jim enjoyed making wine, sailing Lake Calhoun, canoeing the boundary waters, family ski trips (always accompanied with friends of the family), and teaching kids to ski. Jim also found time to teach architecture at the Minneapolis Community & Technical College.
In 2005, Jim and Honey retired to Kalispell, to be close to their daughters and grandchildren. Jim (and Honey), loved being close to all his grandchildren. While Isabelle, Tyler, Darby and Finley lived in Whitefish, Chris, Alex and Naiara traveled yearly from Chicago. It was always a highlight to attend hockey games, ski races, dance recitals, and free skiing with all the grandkids.
When not skiing Big Mountain or off on camping trips, he served on the Flathead County Planning and Zoning board and was very active in his homeowner association.
Jim is survived by his three children, Brad Thompson, Tracy Anderson and Nicole (Cody) McCarthy, his sister Edith Penick, seven grandchildren, and four nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded by his wife Honey in 2019.
Jim will be forever missed.
A memorial for both Jim and Honey will take place this fall in Minneapolis.