James C. Thommarson

James “Tom” “Jim” Thommarson, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2025, in the caring comfort of St. Anthony’s Senior Living, Kansas City, MO. He would have been 88 on January 18, 2025. The family will be having services at Calvary Baptist Church and an inurnment at South Park Cemetery both of Roswell, NM, at a later date.

James was born in Olton, Texas, to RD & Ruby (Rudd) Thommarson. He was the oldest of two children, having a sister, Joyce Walrath. James grew up all over the great state of Texas where his father strung telephone lines for Ma Bell. They moved so often he didn’t spend an entire year in any one school. Once when he returned to the same school for the third time in one school year, his teacher simply told him to take his same seat, he knew where it was. RD and Ruby purchased their first home when James and Joyce entered school in Wichita Falls, Texas. The home had two rooms. When James turned 18 in January of his senior year, he decided he was ready to see the world outside of Texas. He got his GED and joined the Marine Corps.

In the military, last names are used and Thommarson was a bit of a mouthful, so he became Tom. After completing Basic Training, Tom was stationed at El Toro Marine Base in Orange County outside of the city of Irvine. On Palm Sunday, March 25, 1956, while he was hitchhiking with his skate case on Sand Canyon Road between the base and Laguna Beach, Susie was in her 1951 Ford with a girlfriend and two marines. The marines knew Tom and said they should pick him up. The five of them drove around together for the rest of the day. By Easter Sunday, Susie’s marine had shipped out. Tom called every James in the telephone book until he found her father, Jesse James attending church services for the soldiers at the Hollywood Bowl. Tom hurried over and found her. Once while skating at the Skate Ranch in Costa Mesa under a disco ball, Tom was skating backwards with his hands on Susie’s waist while she put her hands on his shoulders. The rink officials got very upset and told them that kind of behavior would not be permitted. Who knew they were such hooligans? They were married on September 1st, 1956, less than 6 months from the day they met. 

They frolicked in the South California sun, swimming at Carona Del Mar, picnicking and riding a bicycle built for two at Irvine Park, and camping at Big Bear until Tom was sent to Japan. After the birth of their first son, Patrick “Pat” Thommarson on August 15, 1957, Tom decided the Marine Corps would have issued him a wife and children if they wanted him to have them, so he did not re-up for a second tour. 

Tom, Susie and Pat hooked up their travel trailer, which they called home, and headed to Texas looking for a new life. They found one with the Army, a more family friendly branch of the military. Tom was signed up as a PFC-Private First Class and was not yet eligible for a family allotment. His first post was at Fort Meade, MD. They found a spot for their trailer, under a tree in a park inhabited by gypsies and migrant farm workers. An early winter trapped them in the park for the winter with nothing to do, each morning after dad left for work, their bed converted into the dining table. A few of the gypsy women would join Susie and Pat, playing cards and sharing stories. One of the women was living in her car on the other side of the same tree the trailer was parked under, she said to Susie that she knew Tom really loved her. Susie asked, is that because she saw them kiss goodbye each morning at the door. The gypsy replied, “I hear you at night!”. Their little family grew to four with the birth of Cindy on November 6, 1959.

When Cindy was 6 months old, James was transferred to Naples, Italy and was granted an allotment for his family of four. With the additional pay, they were able to furnish a two-bedroom apartment and buy a new car. The Simca was made by a French automaker founded by Fiat and managed by an Italian during that time. The final addition to the family was Dale, he arrived on October 31,1961.

Tom traveled the world with his family, except for tours in Turkey and Vietnam. In Vietnam, he had a driver and a Jeep. Tom had a gun on his right hip and a briefcase full of cash handcuffed to his left hand. He would deliver payroll in cash to the soldiers in the field. There weren’t any banks out in the field. His driver would pick him up at sunrise and deliver him home before sunset. The jungle was no place to be at night.

Tom’s last post was at the Pentagon working for the Defense Intelligence Agency. His job was to type reports on battles. It was an exciting time to be in DC, there were folk festivals along the reflection pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Watergate happened, Richard Nixon resigned, and the Vietnam War ended. Pat graduated high school and Tom retired. Following in his father’s footsteps, Tom wanted to let his children finish high school in one place. Tom retired from the Army on August 31, 1975.

The family relocated to Roswell, NM where RD and Ruby were living. RD had become an Ordained Southern Baptist Reverand after his children left home. He was the Pastor at South Manor Baptist Church where he was referred to as Brother Tommy. When James and his family joined South Manor, James became a Deacon and was referred to as Brother Jim.

Jim, Cindy, Pat and Dale worked at Transportation Manufacturing Corporation (TMC), building Greyhound Busses, Intercity Busses, and Car Trailers. When TMC closed in 2003, Jim achieved a life-long goal by earning an Associate’s Degree from ENMU-Roswell. For a short time, he was a medical transcriptionist. Susie pointed out that they had no debt and could now afford to travel the world again. They both did some part-time work. Jim did Census work and taught driver’s safety courses for seniors. Susie worked for Hickory Farms at Christmas.

Jim and Susie had raised their children in the Baptist Church with many happy memories of Vacation Bible School, Church Camp, Sunday School, and singing in the choir. After their children were grown, they took a cake decorating class and enjoyed baking cakes for any activity that required one. Jim had a CDL license and willingly drove busloads of rambunctious children to camp. They loved hosting and attending mystery dinners. Their love of travel took them on cruises and road trips every chance they got. 

In 2008, Pat and Cindy became Jim’s travel partners. Jim could go on two vacations a year while his working children could take one. They finished Jim’s bucket list and started adding new destinations and revisiting favorites.

Jim was an avid reader and loved music. On any given evening, he could be found in his chair with a romance novel and headphones listening to classic country music. Each morning, he liked to go to Walmart for their little pies and diet Pepsi. Then he would stop by the library for new reading material. He liked to host game day at Calvary Baptist Church and led the Senior Sunday School Class.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, his dear wife and his two sons, Patrick and Dale. James is survived by his beloved daughter (and frequent traveling partner), Cindy Coats and her husband, Donald Coats of Kansas City.

Condolences and fond memories may be expressed to the family at www.MuehlebachChapel.com on

James’ Memorial Tribute Page. The family suggests Memorial Donations to: American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, EasterSeals, Special Olympics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Catholic Community Hospice or charities of your choice.