James "Jimmy" A. Thompson, age 73, of Rutherfordton, NC, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at his home.

A native of Rutherford, Jimmy was the son of the late James "Bird" Thompson, and the late Maggieleen Owens Thompson. In addition to his parents Jimmy was preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law, Joy Thompson Hoyle and Billy Hoyle..

From an early age Jimmy was a gifted carpenter and musician who could build or play anything. He took pride in his work whether it was building a new home or replacing a board and you could rest assured that after a long day of work, you could find Jimmy sitting behind a piano playing up a storm. While Jimmy left us unexpectedly & far too soon, the impact he had on everyone he knew will be felt for years to come.  We can still hear him saying things like Hey Girl! or Oh Boy! Jimmy was known for his contagious smile and unforgettable laugh.  One friend described him this way, "He was very special to us! Brought a smile with him every day, and always made everyone laugh and smile."  Jimmy,  along with his trusted fur baby Ryder, would often be found at one of his favorite restaurants (and his extended family) Carolina Café, Shake Shop, Don's Italian, Denny's, or Greens doing just that!  He would always be sharing stories about his children, Brian & Jennifer or showing off new pictures of his grandchildren Caitlyn, Landon, Bryson and Allie or that new great grandbaby Josie. Jimmy was a gifted musician who loved to sing and play the piano.  He devoted his life to serving Christ through the gift of music that God blessed him with.  Some of his favorite times were singing with Vision and leading his church choir at Piney Knob Baptist Church for over 40 years which brought sheer joy to his life. But what he loved most was what he sang about!  Jesus and salvation that comes only from Him!  That's what Jimmy would want us all to remember.

Left to cherish Jimmy's memory is his daughter, Jennifer Crosby and her husband Jason, his son, Brian Thompson and his wife Heather, one sister, Rose Mary Weathers and her late husband A.J., four grandchildren, Caitlyn Villa and her husband Pablo, Landon Crosby, Bryson Thompson, and Allie Thompson, and one great-granddaughter, Josie Villa.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Saturday, January 13, 2024 at McMahan's Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at Piney Knob Baptist Church at 2:00 PM, Sunday, January 14, 2024. Jimmy will lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the service.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Piney Knob Baptist Church Youth Group, 1534 Piney Knob Rd., Rutherfordton NC, 28139. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.