James Lynn Thompson

James Lynn Thompson, 79, of Teton, Idaho, passed away September 12, 2023.  He was born on December 23, 1943, in Rexburg, Idaho, to James Howard and Ruth Ann Baker Thompson. He started out his life in Newdale, but moved to Teton just before he turned 3 when his mother passed away. He and his older brother, Gordon, went to live with his grandmother, Emma Baker in Teton.

Jim attended Teton Elementary and South Fremont Junior High and High School in St. Anthony. He often told us that his real education came from the school of life as he learned to work and develop skills that would bless the lives of his posterity as he passed them down. 

Jim married Lorna Peck in 1962, and they welcomed 2 sons from this union; William “Billy,” and Daniel “Danny” Thompson. They were later divorced. He met Faye Rasmussen in 1967, and the two were married in October of 1969. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They settled in dad’s childhood home in Teton and raised 5 children together; Rick, Michelle, Shauna, Jeanette, and Brady.

Jim learned to work hard at a very young age working sheep and all the work that goes with the life of a ranching family. He would go on to work at the cheese creamery in Sugar City, and moved to Denver after marrying Faye and learned to work construction for a year before moving back to Teton. He continued this trade until 1980, when he bought a truck and started hauling logs into the Stud Mill in St. Anthony. He would go on to build a career in the trucking industry and hauled seed potatoes, grain, fertilizer, and everything in between. He owned several trucks and liked to have his family be involved in the business. His kids and grandkids loved to go in the truck with him and hear his stories and life lessons. He retired in 2013 and has spent the last 10 years taking it easy and making memories with his family.

Jim had a great love of the outdoors and would often be found in the mountains four-wheeling, motorcycling, snowmachining, camping, boating, and going on Sunday drives. He loved to watch the seasons change and fall come. His greatest treasures and accomplishments were his family, who he loved fiercely. He expressed his love to them often and never missed an opportunity to tell them how proud he was of them. 

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held various callings in the ward. He especially loved the 5 years he spent working in the Rexburg temple and had a deep testimony of the gospel that he shared with his children. 

We feel so blessed that our dad was able to pass through the veil in peace from the home he had built a beautiful life and family in. He slipped quietly from the hands of his wife and children to those of his children and mother waiting for him on the other side. 

He is survived by his wife Faye of Teton; children, Danny (Karen) Thompson of Idaho Falls, Rick (Michelle) Thompson of St. George, Michelle (Sonny) Palmer of St. Anthony, Shauna (Ike) Wasden of Rexburg, Brady (Katie) Thompson of Idaho Falls; siblings, Bob, Rhonda, Tom, and Mona; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son Bill Thompson; daughter, Jeanette Johnson; brothers, Gordon and Roger; and a great-grandson, Liam.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, at the Teton LDS Chapel.  The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., both times at the church.  Burial will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery.