James P. Thompson

SIDNEY – James P. Thompson, 86, of Sidney passed away on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at home with his devoted wife, daughter, and son-in-law at his side.

Born on March 23, 1938, in Augusta, Maine, James (Jim) was the son of the late Fred A. and Harriet (Webster) Thompson. He graduated from Belgrade High School in 1955 and from Bates Business School a few years later.

In 1969, he married the love of his life, Lois Higgins. After their daughter Rachel was born, he built a home for them in Belgrade where they lived for many happy years. Jim loved planting big gardens and sharing his vegetables and flowers with neighbors and friends.

Jim was a dedicated elder at the Augusta Gospel Hall, where he served God and cared for the spiritual needs of others. He also sold Bibles and books from his home and traveled to Bible conferences throughout New England and beyond, selling them. In his generosity, he gave away almost as many books as he sold. He had a heart for people and cared about their spiritual well-being. He loved talking with them and sharing what mattered most to him.

Jim worked for the State of Maine as a systems analyst until his retirement at the age of 55, after which he worked for the Christian Civic League. By this time, he and Lois were empty-nesters, so he built a new home for them in Sidney on the property he had grown up on. He loved being out in the woods, cutting down trees, and working on his land.

As the grandchildren were born and grew, he delighted in spending time with them and took great pride in their accomplishments. He deeply loved his family.

Jim is survived by his cherished wife Lois; his beloved daughter Rachel and her husband Bryan (whom he loved as a son); his treasured grandchildren, Theanna, Abigayle, James (and his wife Janneylee), Benjamin (and his wife Daniela); and his darling little great-granddaughter, Elena. Jim’s sisters are Ruth Thompson and Priscilla Smith and he has many nieces and nephews.

The visitation and funeral will both be on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church Street, Augusta. The visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m., with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m. The funeral will be livestreamed and can be accessed through Jim’s obituary on the funeral home website.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.