James E. "Tommy" Thompson, 78, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday evening, January 6, 2014 at Mercy Iowa City following a long illness.

Funeral Mass: 11:30 A.M. Saturday at Saint Jude's Catholic Church by Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: Saint Michael's Cemetery, Norway. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday at Papich-Kuba Janeba Chapel West, 1604 "J" Street S.W., and after 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the church. A rosary begins at 4 P.M. Friday at the funeral chapel.

James is survived by his wife, Rosemary; seven children, Jenny S. Thompson, Denver, Colorado; Larry Lee (Gabrielle) Thompson, Utica, Illinois; James E. II (DeAnn) Thompson, Kansas City, Kansas; William A. (Carrie) Thompson, Cedar Rapids; Tamala (Danny) Buchanan, Carmi, Illinois; Jolene M. Thompson and Jacquelene M. Thompson, both of Chillicothe, Missouri; 19 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Larry (Peggy) Thompson, Upland, California; sister, Darlene (Edward) Hurt, Center Point and an aunt, Maxine (Ronald) Smith, Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law Marlene and Don Driscoll.

James was born June 12, 1935 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Verl and Mary (Morrison) Thompson. He married Rosemary Becker on January 26, 1957 in Colorado. He had been employed as a truck driver for Fed Ex until his retirement. He and his wife returned to Cedar Rapids from Chillicothe, Missouri in 2010.

James was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Saint Jude's Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Colorado where he served as a Grand Knight. He was a member of the V.F.W. in Colorado and American Legion Post 148 in Van Horne.

Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion Post 148.

A memorial fund has been established and contributions may be given to the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under "obituaries".