Jimmy Carl Thomson, Jr. (aka Jim, JR, Papa, Grandpa) of Phelps, WI died suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at Aspirus Eagle River Hospital at the age of 73.
Jim was born on Oct. 05, 1951, in Kenosha, WI to Jimmy and Nancy (Muto) Thomson. His family moved to the Stevens Point/Polonia, WI area where he spent most of his early years.
In the summer of 1966, the family moved to Conover, WI after purchasing the Mar-Jon Resort on South Twin Lake and renaming it Thomson’s Resort. Jim attended Phelps High School his freshman year and graduated from Northland Pines High School in 1970. He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Debra (Buell) Thomson in 1974 and had recently celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss in September of 2024. Jim and Debra (aka Debbie) lived in Milwaukee from 1974 to 1983 and then moved back to Phelps.
Jim was a jack of all trades, having jobs in the Milwaukee area as a welder at Crane Manufacturing, union carpenter for several contractors, and maintenance worker for GPF Manufacturing. After moving back to Phelps, he started his own carpentry business, J&J Builders, with James Verkuilen. They built and remodeled homes until retiring the business in 2007. Jim also started a small business called D&J Sales & Service in 1991, which specialized in sales and installation of outdoor wood stoves, then shifted his focus to snowmobile and small engine repairs.
He was always fixing and tinkering with machines, building something, or inventing new tools and gadgets when he wasn’t helping family or friends with their projects. Anyone who knew Jim could tell how much he loved life and found joy in everything he did, but his favorite activities were going for a drive with the love of his life or playing with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie; two sons, Jimmy III (Teri) of Mukwonago, WI and Mike of Phelps; daughter, Kari (Jake) Bailey of Wisconsin Rapids; three grandchildren, Aaron Thomson, Brooklynn and Olivia Bailey; three sisters, Luann (Celestine) Akpan of Minneapolis, MN, Dawn Andruszkiewicz of Lakeland, FL, Jacqueline Thomson of Watertown, WI; and two “brothers from other mothers”, James (aka Jimmer) Verkuilen and Dietmar (aka Deto) Busch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and infant sister Jane.
An informal celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Phelps Congregational Church on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, from 1:00-3:00pm with a small meal and lots of storytelling. Bib overalls and flannel shirts are encouraged.
PAID OBITUARY
