James Roy Thompson

James Roy Thompson, 92, a lifelong resident of Conway, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 22, 2022 in the Personal Care Building at Concordia Villa St. Joseph, Baden. He was born on June 20, 1930 in the family home in Conway to the late James and Eva (Stevens) Thompson. He was a retired employee of the former Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation, Aliquippa Works where he worked in the carpenter shop and was a member of Local 1211, United Steelworkers of America. He was a 1949 graduate of Freedom Area High School. James was a proud US Army Veteran serving during the Korean War and was a Sergeant in the 40th Infantry, 140th Tank Battalion serving under George Patton IV from 1952-1953. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and was the recipient of the Quilt of Valor in 2021. He was proud to have been portrayed in the European edition of Stars and Stripes for his role in destroying a Korean truck convoy. James was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Conway, Conway Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6713, Baden American Legion Post 641, and Conway Croation Fraternal Union Lodge 540. James was committed to his family, raising six children. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting, gardening and taking walks and spending time with his family. He was an avid Pittsburgh sports enthusiast who enjoyed watching all the teams. He enjoyed cooking, especially on a charcoal grill during the summer holidays, while singing old time favorite songs. He was known for making a great pizza on Saturday's. James had a love for animals and enjoyed his visits from his grand dogs, Yota and Zoe. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his wife, Katherine (Vitkovic) Thompson, sisters, Margaret "Peggy" Toogood, Mary Jane Thompson, Nancy Monaci, brother, Robert Thompson, and daughter-in-law, Dawn (Worrell) Thompson. He is survived by his six children, James (Lori) Thompson of Aliquippa, PA, John (Becky) Thompson of Clinton, PA, Susan (Paul) Ceratti of Ambridge, PA, Linda (Thomas) Mullin of South Beaver, PA, Mark Thompson of Lawrence, PA, and Robert Thompson of Conway, PA, 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, brothers, John Thompson of Economy, PA, Gary Thompson of Conway, PA, sisters, Joyce Whitehouse of Scottsdale, AZ, and Betty Palakovich of East Rochester, PA and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. 833 Kennedy Dr., Ambridge where prayers will be offered on Wednesday at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Conway. Interment with full military honors provided by the Brentwood Post 1810 Military Funeral Honor Guard and the US Army will follow at 12:30 PM in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 862 will conduct a service on Tuesday at 3 PM in the funeral home and members of the Baden American Legion Post 641 will conduct a memorial service on Tuesday at 7 PM in the funeral home. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and aides at the Concordia Villa St Joseph Memory Care Unit for the loving and compassionate care extended to James during this past year.

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