Jay Thompson

jay thompson
Jay's Live Streamed Funeral Service can be viewed below starting at 1:45 P.M. on Sunday:
https://vimeo.com/event/600973 Jay's Prayer Service can be viewed below starting at 5:45 PM:
https://vimeo.com/event/599473 Jay K. Thompson Jr., 62, Horace, ND, passed away Monday, December 28, 2020, at Spring Valley Medical Center, Las Vegas, NV, due to complications from pneumonia. Jay was born May 7, 1958, in Breckenridge, MN, to Jay and Marna (Peake) Thompson. He grew up near Wyndmere, ND, on a cattle ranch until his father, Jay Sr.’s passing in 1971. Jay and his siblings, Gene and Jackie, were welcomed in to the family and raised by their Uncle Walter and Aunt Mavis Jerger in rural Barnesville, MN. He graduated from Barnesville High School in 1976. After graduating, he moved back to the McLeod/Wyndmere area where he worked on a cattle ranch. He married Karen A. Campbell on June 17, 1983, in McLeod, ND, where they made their first home. They enjoyed cruising the countryside in his black Z28 Camaro, playing darts, and spending time with friends. Jay welcomed Karen’s son, Dustin, into his family, as his own. Together they were blessed with three daughters, Danielle, Alisha, and Michaela. In 1986 they built their forever home in Horace, ND, where he was the ultimate Girl Dad, not only to his girls but also to all of their girlfriends. He started his career working for GFE Electric in 1988 and received his Journeyman Electrician license in 1990. He worked for GFE Electric for over 22 years where he made many lifelong friends whom he considered family. Jay was also a man that could fix many things as he held various maintenance positions. Some of his best stories came from his work at GFE, Essentia Health, and Eventide. Jay was passionate about helping other people. He joined the Horace Volunteer Fire and Rescue department in 1989 as a dedicated firefighter and first responder and in 1991 became a certified state instructor for the “Jaws of Life.” During his many years on the department, he took numerous young firefighters under his wing as he showed them the ropes. Jay’s passion for helping others led him to earn the titles of Captain and later Assistant Chief. Family was very important to him and he always enjoyed spending quality time with them. His pride and joy were his three daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Jay loved spending time watching Danielle figure skate. He spent countless early mornings taking her to practice. He truly was her number one fan. Jay was forever grateful to Alisha for giving him the gift of his first grandson. He always wanted a boy and loved Payton Jay like his own; they were best buds. Jay was proud to be Michaela’s escort during her pageant career. Even though he didn’t like dressing up, he felt honored to be a part of her special day. He truly enjoyed sharing his time, talents, and gifts with his grandchildren. They will always remember his lawnmower rides and Grandpa cheering them on at every event. Jay was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time outdoors with family and friends. His greatest memories were hunting with his brother, cousins, nephew, and friends, and at the lake fishing, tubing, and spending time around the campfire. He loved having huge Fourth of July firework shows for the entire block and was always excited to show Dustin, JD, Dan, and Seth how to put on one hell of a show. He is survived by his first love, Karen, Horace, ND; children, Danielle (JD) Hewson, Horace, ND; Alisha (Dan) MacDonald, Horace, ND; Michaela (Seth) Dye, Fargo, ND; Dustin (Jennifer Ernst) Campbell, Horace, ND; 10 grandchildren, Jade and Jaelyn Hewson; Payton Jay, Paizley, and Paxtynn MacDonald; Savvy and Myan Dye; Whitney Ernst; Levi and Logan Campbell; 2 great-grandchildren, Norah and Reid Larson; siblings, Gene (Vicki) Thompson, Kindred, ND; Jackie (Brian) Nelson, CO; many special nieces and nephews; his extended Jerger family; his mother-in-law, Barb; the Campbell family; and many lifelong friends. He was greeted at Heaven’s Pearly Gate by his grandparents, Oscar and Alma Thompson and Kenneth and Rose Peake; parents, Jay and Marna Thompson; sister, Vicki Thompson; father-in-law, Dewey “Pops” Campbell; uncle, Walter Jerger; cousin, Annette Jerger; and many special lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Jay would want you to come as you are. Please wear something that reminds you of him. Jay's Video Tribute can be viewed below:

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  1. Your dad was a great man that gave me a stranger hope and the ability to see the good in myself. I will always remember him as a great strong guy that was funny and open hearted. My you all find peace in this difficult time. Love ya J Bird

  2. My deepest sympathies and condolences to Jay’s family. When I think of Jay and our high school years together I smile! Great friend, great man

  3. I will always remember the fun times at the baseball games. Damn we got into a little trouble. Thank god Vicki was there to keep the 3 of us in line. You will always have a special place in my heart. RIP my friend.

  4. Our sympathy to all of you. I grew up north of Wyndmere, neighbors to Jay and Marna, and my sister and I babysat the children. They were great family friends. Our family was there during Vicki’s illness and death, during Marna’s struggles with MS and Jay’s tragic death in an airplane crash. Although I had not seen “little Jay” for many years, this family always held a special place in my heart! So sorry for your loss; what a special guy – he will be missed.

  5. From: Chad & Nicky,Lyle & Marlene Rotvold Family

    We send our deepest Sympathy and Jay will be remembered forever.Amen.

  6. Gene, Jackie and family: I grew up and graduated highschool with Jay…what a shock to learn of his passing. My prayers and condolences go out to all of you. I have had the pleasure to get to know Gene as well working at the bank these last few years….God Speed, Jay…you will be missed

  7. I was so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. It was an honor to have met him and a delight to watch him work at my house. He loved talking about his daughters, that he was so proud of, and his memory will live on. Sending you all much love and hugs…

  8. My dear Jackie, Gene and families; Karen and family; and the entire Walt and Mavis Jerger family you have my deepest condolences. I knew Jay quite well in our high school years (Jay was 2 yrs younger than me) he was quite the character and I have many good memories of him and the fun times we had together. Of course as things happen we drifted apart but reunited back in 2013 when my mom Betty Tableman was hospitalized at Essentia. I “felt” this man staring at me in the cafeteria and I knew instantly it was Jay when he greated me with a “Hi Squirt” he hadn’t changed a bit. We had a few lunches and coffee together when I was up to visit mom. He wanted to see my folks “Betty and Gootch” and did just that a few times. He was so supportive and helpful I was glad we reconnected even under those circumstances. It truly warmed my heart to read of his many accomplishments in life yes he was one of those who would succeed in whatever he chose to do. Cherish your many memories of a wonderful one of a kind husband, father, brother, nephew, cousin…you will carry them in your hearts forever. Hoping to come to one of the visitations. With deepest sympathies here comes a big HUG. Love, Teri

  9. I am here to celebrate the life of your dad today.
    And the measure of its worth And every single life he touched while he was on this earth.
    I wish to pay my last respects to my dear friend.
    That’s why i will be there in spirit.
    To thank him for our friendship and all the memories he and I hold dear.
    It’s been a privilege to have known him.
    I felt like we were family, not just friends,
    And i will carry his spirit with me.
    Until i meet up with him once again. Love, respect and prayers.

  10. This world will not be the same without you in it Jay Thompson. You were a great man, with a heart of gold. I am lucky to call you my friend and I thank the Lord for allowing me to have met you. I will miss our talks and how you always lifted my soul, with those beautiful blue eyes of yours. May you Rest In Peace and continue to watch over us all, until we meet again. This women will deeply miss you. Love, Connie

    My deepest condolences to your daughters and the entire family. Prayers for you all.

  11. RIP Jay..You were a good person with a good heart.. My condolences to your family 🙏🙏🙏 It was a beautiful service and thank you for sharing the memories with us here in Vegas ❤️❤️❤️❤️

  12. Jay was my cousin. I am Ruth Nylander’s (Thompson) youngest daughter. Many a summer my family would go up to North Dakota and I would spend my summer with Uncle Jays family. Those were the best summers I ever had. Riding horses, feeding pigs, learning how to drive the tractor. The memory book you all put together brought back a flood of great memories. Jay had a full life with loving family and friends. Cousin Jay was such a memorable person, so fun and full of energy. Many a fond memory. Jay you will be missed by everyone your life touched.

  13. My sympathies to Jays family. I went fishing with him every walleye opener on Prairie lake for 25 years. We had a helluva run and good times

  14. Jackie, Gene , Karen and his beautiful daughters and families

    My sincere sympathies to you all with his passing

    I only knew Jay as a child growing up on a farm in rural Wyndmere and our childhood rides on school buses and of Sunday School and Bible School at Viking. Memories of childhood that still brings a smile to my face. I remember the heartache as they moved away. Thank you for sharing his wonderful life through your celebration of his life service and filling in the rest of his story. I see Jackie in so many of your faces and the pictures brought back so many memories of our childhood together. I’m so proud of roots that made him into the man I see in these pictures. What a touching celebration of life you gave for him. RIP Jay


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