James Gerald "Jimmy" Thompson, age 90, of Toledo, passed away December 23rd at his home. Jim was born January 24, 1935, in Dunklin Township, South Carolina, to Benjamin "Frank" Thompson and Gladys (Trammell) Thompson.

Jim moved to Toledo and lived with his sister, Sara McDaniel, before joining the Navy from 1952-1956. Jim then served in the Naval Reserve from 1956-1960. He sailed the Great Lakes in 1956 and then in 1967 with the Merchant Marines for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company as an Oiler in the boiler room.

He met Dorothy "Dottie" (Roehrborn) while working at Libbey Glass. They married in 1962 and raised their family on Buffalo St., in the North End where neighbors were like family. Jim was a devoted husband and father who worked multiple jobs providing for his family. He was affectionately referred to as "Poppy, Pops or Grandpa T" by his grandchildren who loved him very much and always enjoyed his animated and imaginative storytelling. Jim was always willing to help others. He was a faithful and dependable hard worker.

He worked many years for AP Parts in Toledo before retiring in 1993. Jim was also in the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing retiring in 1995. Building schools in Panama and an airstrip in Germany were a few examples of the work he did for the Air Guard while performing his yearly duties.

He was very talented with the mandolin and learned how to play as a young boy in South Carolina. Jim was very well-known in the NW Ohio & SE Michigan Bluegrass scene. Jim was a member of several Bluegrass bands over the years: The Cut Ups, The Candy Mountain Boys, The Nitro Hill Band, The Oak Harbor Boys, Maumee Valley Grass, The Chicken Pickers, Last Time Out and Hand Hewn. He played at state fairs, music festivals, at the Air Force Guard base, Church picnics and ministry gatherings, weddings, schools, camps for disadvantaged children, neighborhood jam sessions and just about anywhere. Jim received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Bluegrass Music and later was also honored with induction into the Blissfield Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. He did not read music but played by ear and still taught many others how to play. A special thanks to musicians Larry Reinstein and Randy Shaffer who the last 3 years visited Jim regularly due to his health challenges and encouraged him to play his mandolin with them and later played for him. With bringing other musicians to visit Jim and play music, they blessed him with what he loved so much.

He is survived by his children James (Rosel) Thompson, Jr., Kimberly (Allen) Spillman, Cheri (Randy) Disher, Rebecca Thompson, Rachel (Gary) Kufel, Daniel Thompson, Rae Lynn (Michael) Simpson; 26 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Dottie, son David Poling, parents, brothers Julian and Maxie Thompson, and sister Sara McDaniel.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 24 at 11:00 am at Summit Church (formerly named First Apostolic Church) 5701 Sylvania Ave.; with a luncheon held in the Church gymnasium following the service.