James M. Thompson Jr., 86, of Pinewood Drive died at 12:40 a.m. Tuesday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in Butler, Aug. 30, 1919, he was the son of James Monroe Thompson Sr. and Catherine M. Mortimer.

He retired as a crane man at J&L and LTV Steel at their Aliquippa works.

Mr. Thompson was a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He also belonged to the Butler Moose Lodge 64, where he had a fellowship degree. He was past president of the MORA club. He was active and enjoyed pitching horseshoes. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Esther M. Thompson, whom he married Feb. 19, 1943; a son, Larry Thompson of Butler; a daughter, Mrs. John W. (Diana L.) Haugh of Grove City; five grandsons; and a granddaughter. Three sisters, Mrs. Mary Yockim of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. Ruth Cygan and Mrs. Robert (Juanita) Schmeider, both of Butler; a brother, Richard L. "Dick" Thompson of Flowery Branch, Ga.; and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

<B>THOMPSON </B>— Friends of James M. Thompson Jr., who died Tuesday, July 11, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 124 E. North St. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Strobel, his church pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at the Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.