James Leon Thompson, 63, passed away September 18, 2025. He was born February 23, 1962.
James surrendered to his multiple health problems in the early morning with his mother at his side. He is now pain-free.
James graduated from Fayetteville High School and from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Accounting. He made many long time friends while working his way through school as a chef, or sometimes a waiter at various then-popular restaurants. He later moved to the family farm where he had room for chickens, a garden, stray cats, and lots of dogs. He was noted for the unique names of his pets, his spot-on nicknames, and his delicious meals.
James was predeceased by his father, Jack E. Thompson.
He is survived by his mother, Joyce (Drain) Thompson of Fayetteville; his sister, Michelle Caesius-Martinez and husband Oscar of Elgin, IL; nephews, Colton Caesius, Blaize Caesius, and Garrett Martinez of IL; and partner, Kent Caudle. Other survivors include his aunts, Nancy Hafliger (Steve) and Ruth Reed; uncles, Leon Drain, W.J. Thompson (Wanda), and T.D. Thompson; and numerous cousins and the many friends who understood his wicked sense of humor.
James declared there will be no funeral.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 5-7 PM at Beard’s Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville. His ashes will be inurned at Pinnacle Cemetery in Madison County at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
Sorry for the families loss, he was a great friend growing up with lots of memories
May he rest in peace 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
James was a good person. Always helped his friends when they needed. He will be missed.
Joyce and family, I am very sorry for your loss.
James was a lifelong dear friend to me. I will miss his wicked sense of humor more than words can express.
RIP James!
James was a great friend and will be dearly missed. I have so many memories growing up and later in life. James will be remembered for his wicked sense of humor and loyalty to those that meant the most to him. You will be missed!
My running buddy for so many years. Morel hunting, fishing the creeks, hundreds of wonderful meals, best poke salad ever, sitting on the tailgate after dark with a couple beers and the sheriff stopped just to talk. A lifetime of memories my friend, thank you for them all. Save me a seat in the tenor section. Love ya.
James was a great friend and a joy to visit with on the phone. He will
Be greatly missed. RIP James
Prayers for his family🙏🏻
You will truly be missed cuz I always enjoyed shooting the bull with ya you never beat around the bush always made me laugh and for sure carried on with grandmas amazing cooking always so yummy I think of us sitting in your kitchen sipping lil shine and laughing love ya cuz❤️
James was a great guy. Glad to have gotten the opportunity to have called him friend. Peace be w/him.
James will be sorely missed. We grew up on the same street! He had a good heart and was highly intelligent. He did have a twisted sense of humor once you got to know him!
I was honored to have James as the best man at my wedding. Many incredible memories for me for life! Condolences to the family. RIP
I am so sorry to see this news and for your loss. James was a great guy and I loved seeing him at our class reunion this summer. Your family is in my prayers.
Heartbreaking and so sad to see that James had passed. I am so thankful to have had dinner and buy eggs from him not so long ago and wish we could have done that more. Yes, absolutely he had the best wicked sense of humor and he was a great conversationalist, such a great mind and he made me laugh every time we could talk, or text. Going to miss him dearly!
This breaks my heart. Thank you for your friendship Friend, thank you for your empathy and for always seeking to understand things for others perspective. You were always an encourager.. Thank you for being a safe space and an awesome ally in these crazy times we live in. I will never forget your kindness and support RIP friend🫶🏽🙏🏽❤️
James was a longtime friend! He was friendly and full of life. So thankful for our time together at our recent reunion. May his family be comforted🙏