Walter " Jim " Thompson, 93, formerly of Morton Grove , beloved husband of the late Anne, nee Metallo.

Jim was the first born child of Walter Sr. and Stella, nee Kutyba. He and his sister Virginia Christiansen grew up in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago . His difficult childhood included having to quit High School to be a bicycle telegraph delivery boy in order to support his family during the Depression. He eventually finished High School by working nights and attending school during the day, graduating salutatorian. He often commented that this experience greatly shaped his life.

Jim worked as a Foreman at General Motors until he volunteered for the Air Force in 1944. He was trained as a remote control turret mechanic on B-29 bombers. He met Anne, the love of his life, after the war. They both worked at Rockola Jukebox Factory. Jim was a foreman and Anne an inspector. After a short courtship, they married and soon started a family. They raised their three daughters first in Chicago and later Morton Grove , where he remained for 50 years.

Jim worked his entire life in fire prevention, primarily at IRM starting as an inspector and retiring as Vice President and Chicago Branch Manager. Despite his lack of College education he was a trusted advisor to many-coworkers, family, neighbors and friends.

Jim and Anne loved to travel and had many joyful trips together before Anne died too soon in 1986. Jim forever missed his beloved Anne, but he pushed ahead and found new activities to fill his life. He embraced volunteering, golf, biking, serving as the family handyman to his children and spending many hours with his grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren. He also continued to travel on his own and with family. He made many new friends later in life and re-connected with others from his past. Everyone who met Jim was drawn to his warm personality.

Family meant everything to Jim, and he will always be remembered with great love by his daughters Barbara (Jim) Kurth, Pat (Bill) Stamper, and Lisa Thompson, his grandchildren Jim (Jennifer) Stamper, Kelly (Michael) Hurliman, Christopher Oscarson, Sarah Haas, Joey Haas, Jennifer Kurth, and Ryan Kurth, and his great-grandchildren Emery, Alison, Marin, and Danny Stamper, and Jack and Matthew Hurliman.

Funeral from Simkins Funeral Home 6251 Dempster St. Morton Grove, IL 60053 Thursday, February 12th at 9:30 a.m. to St. Martha Church. Mass at 10:00 a.m. Entombment All Saints Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday February 11 ^th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations will be g ratefully appreciated to Midwest Care Center 2050 Clair Court Glenview , IL 60025 . (847) 965-2500