James Russell Thomson

James Russell Thomson, age 88, of Landrum, SC, passed away on August 18th, 2015.  He was the son of Madeline Littlefield and Russell Thomson.  He was predeceased by his wife, Doris, his son, James Russell Thomson II (Jimmy), sister in law, Helen Thomson and brother in law Ervin Fischgrabe.  He is survived by his daughter Ann Bowden, grandson, Christopher Bowden, granddaughter Elisabeth Gabor and her husband Major Jeffrey Gabor, USAF, and was blessed by being a Papaw again to his beloved great grandson, Tyler.  James is also survived by his brother William Thomson (Billy), a sister in law Alice Boyd and her husband Al of Grass Valley, CA, who was also his great friend, and another sister in law Rita Fischgrabe of Owasso, Oklahoma.  Mr. Thomson is also survived by many nieces and nephews: Billy Moore Thomson and Mary Lou Thomson of Landrum, Rebecca Gale of Owasso, Oklahoma, Bobby Boyd and Bonnie Boyd of Grass Valley, CA.

James retired as Chief Warrant Officer from the United States Army in 1967.  He went on to become a caseworker at the Department of Social Services and eventually became the Director of the Spartanburg County Department of Social Services, retiring in 1991.  Both before and after retiring from DSS, Mr. Thomson and his wife Doris ran the family business, Thomson's Hardware, for many years.

Mr. Thomson was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.  He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and has been a Mason since 1950.

James was a man of strong Christian  faith.  He was a member of Landrum First Baptist Church for many years.  Also, while serving in Germany from 1961-1967, James and Doris were the directors of the Protestant Sunday School program.  He was a family man and always put his family first.  We love and will miss him so very much.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Petty Funeral Chapel conducted by Rev. Jimmy Camp.  Entombment will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.  

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Operation Hope, or The Well.

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