James Michael Thompson

Oct 19, 1952 -

Jun 23, 2021

James Michael Thompson, 68, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on June 23, 2021, due to a construction accident. He was at his home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, an area he started visiting with his family in the 1950s. He spent his childhood in Virginia and Maryland, moving to New Orleans, La., with his family when he was in high school. He met Karla, his wife of 46 years, while attending LSU. After he graduated with a degree in architecture, they began a westward journey with a few years in Utah and Oregon before settling in Anchorage in 1981. Alaska fostered Michael's love of adventure and the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing on the Russian River, skiing and mountaineering. He proudly summitted Denali twice. Michael lived a life of service to his community. He volunteered with the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group for over 20 years and later served as the AIA Alaska State Disaster Assistance Coordinator. He worked on numerous school and hospital projects in his architecture career, and loved using his construction skills to transform the homes he lived in.

Michael is survived by his wife, Karla; his dearly loved children, Dominy (Brandon) Alderman, Jesse (David) Nichols and Jet (Kandace) Thompson; grandchildren, Isaac, Warren, Jarah, Ellarie, Miles and Emma; sister, Deborah; and brother, Barry.

The family will gather to spread his ashes at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, P.O. Box 241561, Anchorage, AK 99524; https://amrg.org.