James R. Thomson

James R. Thomson, 78, of Cresco, Iowa, died Thursday, August 2, 2018, at home surrounded by his family.

James Robert “Jim” Thomson was born December 14, 1939, in Cresco, IA, son of J.A. (Jean) and Marie (Mitchell) Thomson.  He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Kratz, on the hottest day of the year August 8, 1959, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco.  Jim was a passionate outdoorsman.  He sold ownership of Cresco Union Savings Bank to Jack Thomson, and moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1970.  He pursued a career in banking and many outdoor adventures.  Jim completed 3 solo canoe trips down the Yukon River taking 3 weeks each.  He was a great hunter and fisherman until his desire to hunt became a desire to capture the beauty of animals with photography.  Jim felt very at home on a boat in the water.  When Jim and Carol moved to Washington they spent many hours on their 32 foot trawler Baby Grand.  They circumnavigated the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Gulf Islands.  Jim & Carol started their life together in Berkeley CA later living in Cresco IA, Fairbanks AK, Boise ID, Port Ludlow WA, and Danbury WI and wintering in Punta Gorda FL. In 2003 they built a house on the Upper Iowa River near Lime Springs.  Life finally came full circle when Jim and Carol moved back to Cresco in 2016. 

Jim was an environmentalist and avid reader.  The inside joke was, Jim and Carol had to move because he had read all the books in the local library.  He was a kind, quiet, and modest man, not given to calling attention to himself.     

He is survived by his wife Carol of Cresco, IA; son Mark (Kathy) Thomson of McDonough, GA; daughter Janel (Randy) Cray of Lime Springs, IA; grandchildren Nolan Thomson of Salt Lake City, UT, Alyssa Thomson of Atlanta, GA, Matthew Cray of South St. Paul, MN, Andrea (Ben) Steffen of Stewartville, MN, and Sydney Cray of Arvada, CO; great grandchildren Evelyn, Elliott, and Winfield Steffen; nieces Kari (Lisa Schultz) Larson of Maiden Rock, WI, and Maria (Dw Miller) Larson of Bellingham, WA; and nephew Dana Larson of Carmel Valley, CA. His sister in law Deanna Kratz (Bob) Codner of Clarkdale AZ, and brother in law, Douglas (Susan) Kratz of Boone, IA also survive.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, J.A. and Marie, sister Janice Thomson Larson, and brother in law, Roger Larson.  Also preceding him in death were his parents in law, Leonard and Juliet Kratz.

Memorials may be given on behalf of Jim Thomson to Howard County Community Hospice 235 8th Ave. W. Cresco IA 52136, Cresco Public Library 320 N. Elm Cresco IA 52136, Lime Springs Public Library 110 W. Main St. Lime Springs, IA 52155, or an organization of one’s choice.

There will be a private burial and family gathering at a later date.

Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home of Cresco is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com
 

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