James Edward Thompson

James Edward Thompson was born on January 27, 1964, in Morristown, New Jersey. Affectionately called Jimmy or Jay-T by many, he was the oldest of two children born in Wilkinsburg Public Schools. He graduated from Wilkinsburg in 1972, where he made a name for himself as a consummate athlete. Jimmy played football, and baseball loved wrestling, and went to any state matches. He tried out for the Pittsburgh Pirates once. He also showed some musical talent in the Wilkinsburg High School stage band where he played the clarinet and saxophone.

James remained in Pittsburgh for a few years after graduation and held various jobs. He also had his first two children, Javon and Toriano. Seeking new opportunities, he moved to New Jersey where he lived for approximately 10 years while working for AT&T. During his time in New Jersey, he married and had another child, Jermaine. James moved back to Pittsburgh for a few years and then to Erie, Pennsylvania where he met and resided with his spouse Judy Vollentine: of 34 years until his death.

James loved his family and friends. He was devastated when he lost his oldest son Javon Thompson to gun violence in 1994. Anyone who knew him knows he loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a jokester who loved to laugh. He was his sister's protector and was always watching. Jimmy was a die-hard Steelers fan and he would not answer the phone during the game. He loved watching wrestling and other sports in addition to his old-school music.

On October 3, 2023, James entered into eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his father Edgar Thompson and his son Javon Thompson. He leaves to mourn Judy Vollentine (Erie, PA), his sons Torino Wilson (New Kensington) and Jermaine Thompson (Brownsville, PA), his mother Honorable Alberta Thompson (Chandler, AZ), sister Danielle Gardin (Mesa, AZ, Michael), nephew Jauquin Sims (San Francisco, CA), step-daughter Trudy Vollentine, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with a host of family and friends, especially his other Brother Rodney Smith.

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