RIP: JIM THOMPSON, FORMER NPS REGIONAL ARCHAEOLOGIST

James William Thomson, Jr. (Jim), former Regional Archaeologist for the Pacific West Region and beloved friend and mentor, passed away in Seattle on July 24th from leukemia-related complications. Jim was valued and respected across the service for his contribution in shaping the System-wide Archaeology Inventory Program.  Among the important impacts that he had in the Pacific West was his effective advocacy for hiring archaeologists at parks and including the archaeological perspective early in park planning to ensure preservation could effectively merge with park projects. Apart from his constant support for archaeological activities at parks, Jim’s delightful humor and brilliant story delivery created a relaxed atmosphere that eased collaboration between parks and the region, park management and staff. Jim was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 27, 1941.  Because of his father’s career in the United States Air Force, Jim’s youth was spent in many different locations.  His early teens were spent at a post in Morocco. This experience had a great impact in developing his cultural awareness, love of adventure, and global perspective. The family returned to Washington, D.C. area for his high school years, but in many ways, Jim’s heart was still exploring the broader world. Post high school, Jim attended Wofford College.  Enlisting after graduation, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam (1965-1966) as an artilleryman in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Bronze Star, and reached the rank of Captain before resuming his higher education. Jim began his NPS career at Fort Moultrie as a WG-1 laborer assisting in archeological excavations.  While completing his Master’s Degree in Anthropology at Florida State University, Jim worked as a temporary employee for the Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC).  After graduation, he joined the Interagency Archeological Services in the Atlanta office, his first permanent position with the NPS.  With the beginning of the Alaska Pipeline Project, in 1980, Jim moved to the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service’s Interagency Archeological Services Alaska office, overseeing major projects in Barrow, Alaska. In 1982, Jim left the Alaska Region for warmer climes and assumed the position of Regional Archeologist in the Pacific Northwest Region in Seattle, Washington. As Regional Archeologist, Jim emphasized full and complete reporting of archeological investigations, supported survey for evidence of past human use and occupation of higher elevations (an area that had not been investigated in earlier surveys in the Northwest), and integrating archeological awareness and compliance into the everyday activities in National Parks. He continually strove to develop effective responses for eroding archeological sites and was concerned about the accelerating impacts of human use and climate change on cultural resources.  Jim also championed the creation of the position of Regional Anthropologist.  Upon the merger of the Western and Pacific Northwest Regions, he played a key role in developing a cultural resources organizational structure that brought professionals in both the regional offices and parks together into a collaborative and cooperative functioning team. Intellectually curious, generous and gracious, Jim will be remembered for his warmth, great humor and inclusive approach to problem solving. Among Jim's survivors are his wife Nancy, a daughter, two grandsons, and his brother. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held in Seattle at a future date. Please contact Kirstie Haertel (at Kirstie_Haertel@nps.gov) if you would like to be notified of this event.