Services for James Victor Thompson
James Victor Thompson, 77, of Clearbrook, Minnesota passed away on Friday, April 21, 2023 at his home.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Clearbrook, Minnesota with a visitation one hour prior. Military Honors will be accorded by the Melvin Johnson Post # 256 American Legion of Clearbrook, MN. Interment will be held at Seljord Lutheran Cemetery in Clearbrook, Minnesota. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.
Vic was born on July 24, 1945 to Milton and Alice (Handy) Thompson in Bagley, Minnesota. He grew up on the Thompson homestead farm, helping on the farm before and after school. After graduating from Clearbrook High School in 1963, he briefly worked as a state grain operator in Minneapolis before attending Bemidji State.
Heading West, Vic became a logger in Coos Bay, Oregon, taking the brave job of choker setter, straddling the trees as he placed the dynamite underneath. While in Oregon, Vic received a call that there was an opening on an iron ore boat. From 1962 to 1966 he served in the Merchant Marines working on the boats on the Great Lakes. In February 1966 Vic joined the Navy and was on two different aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War, working in communications until November 1969.
After serving in the Navy, Vic joined the FBI in Los Angeles, but soon realized he wanted to fulfill his dream of becoming a motorcycle cop. In July of 1970, he joined the LAPD and worked as a policeman for 22 years. He enjoyed his job, and always said throughout the years he was blessed to get up each day and look forward to going to work. Vic married Jill Smith, and had two daughters, Kristen and Karin. He enjoyed taking them to the sitter on his police motorcycle, Kristen sitting in front of him and Karin in the backpack.
Following Retirement, Vic chose not to hang up his uniform, nor let his police bike gather dust, but worked as a retired policeman for the movie industry in Los Angeles. He helped location managers find the perfect spots in the city for shooting their scenes, escorted chase scenes, even appearing in a few himself. He enjoyed flying and would take trips with his friend in their plane to Mexico, landing on the beaches, spending their time ocean fishing. Vic and Elizabeth were married in 1993 and lived in Palos Verdes, California with her two sons, Andrew and David. Having Kristen and Karin close by, they all enjoyed bike rides and boogies boarding at the beach, and roller skating into their favorite beach café.
In 2000, Vic and Elizabeth moved to Clearbrook, Minnesota after having seen all four children head to college. Vic enjoyed being back where he grew up, using his “little orange Kubota” tractor to clear the woods, make trails, and low snow. He loved his church family at First Baptist Church and also belonged to the American Legion and NRA. He was a true patriot, helping with the local Republican BPOU and campaigning for the local candidates. Vic loved his country and wanted to make it a better place for his children and grandchildren, who he loved very much. Vic was blessed to have wonderful friends who he loved, and he enjoyed meeting them at K&K’s café in town for breakfast.
Vic had two unique opportunities to give back to the medical community by volunteering to have procedures down on his heart. These were pre-clinical trial, so there were no guarantees these procedures would help him, but he said if they would help someone else in the future, then he wanted to volunteer. They were successful and gave him more time to enjoy the most important things in his life, his family and friends.
Vic was a strong Christian who loved the Lord Jesus, and because of the future and hope the Lord gives us, we have the peace knowing Vic is now with his Sweet Jesus in Heaven.
Vic is survived by his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth; his daughters, Kristen (Michael) Dunavant of Bentonville, AR and Karin (Kevin) Andreen of San Diego, CA; his stepsons, Andrew (Brooke) Elizalde of Fort Worth, TX and David (Bekah) Elizalde of Fort Worth, TX; his grandchildren, Tom, Charlotte, Jonathon, Gideon, Fitzgerald, Rebekah, Jordan, Sam, Gwenyth, Jackie, Mariah, and Ray; his nieces, Sandra (Les) Weibye of Eden Prairie, MN, and Brenda (John) Walther of Shoreview, MN; his nephews, Steve (Connie) Quickstad of Waldorf, MD, David Quickstad of Jacksonville Beach, FL, and Bryan (Krista) Johnson of Campbell, CA; and his many cousins and great nieces and great nephews.
Vic was preceded in death by his parents; his two sisters, Alair (Don) Quickstad and Ruth Ann (John) Johnson.
In lieu of flowers the family is suggesting donations be made to First Baptist Church of Clearbrook, the Clearbrook Fire Department, or the Clearbrook American Legion.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com