James Dan Thompson

James Dan Thompson, 89, of Canyon, Texas passed away on May 20, 2025.

Viewing will be available at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Amarillo from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M., Thursday, May 22, 2025, and at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Vega from Noon – 5:00 P.M., Friday, May 23, 2025. Graveside services will be at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Memorial Park Cemetery at Vega. Arrangements are made by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

James was born in O’Donnell, Texas on August 6, 1935, to Myrtle Ann (Blankenship) and Clay Floyd Thompson. He was the youngest of eight children. James graduated from O’Donnell High School in 1953. He received his bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University, and his master’s degree from The University of Texas.

James married Martha Weatherford in Tahoka, Texas on December 21, 1959.

James began his career in education in 1957 in O’Donnell, Texas where he worked as a teacher and coach. He later moved his family to Vega, Texas in 1965 where he became the Elementary School Principal, Spanish teacher, and golf coach. He touched many lives through his work in education. James retired from Vega in 1989, and in his retirement worked for J-Bar Horse Shoe Ranch in Colorado where he was the caretaker. He and Martha later moved to Canyon, Texas.

James was an avid fly fisherman, accomplished woodworker, avid gardener – He loved native plants, loved feeding birds, and was an amateur geologist. He loved Texas history, especially the Red River War. Throughout his life, James always retained his curiosity and kept learning and trying new things.

James was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and was known as “Poppa”, “Pop”, and “Grandpa”.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Thompson; children, Jim Thompson and wife Annia, Julie Crist and husband Clay, and Jerri Erickson and husband Michael; grandchildren, Cassie, Carissa, Cailey, Camryn, Ryan, John, Seth, and Matthew; great-grandchildren, Annalee, Daniel, Kynleigh, Kyndall, Brielle, Keeley, Claire, Caelynn, Brittyn, and Callie; and several nieces and nephews.