Robert James Thompson

Robert James Thompson known to everyone as Jim or ‘SeaLevel’ long time Santa Barbara resident passed away peacefully, on November 26th, 2015, at home. Jim was born on September 2nd 1923 in Winnipeg, Canada, and lived in Santa Barbara ½ of his 92 years of life. A man small in stature but big in honor, love, and hope for all around him. He joins his wife and lifelong love Evelyn Lorraine, and is survived by 4 children, Margaret Crowder (Wallace) of Florida, Jeannie Hatten(Mark) of Idaho, Ken Thompson (Michelle) of Santa Barbara, and Debbie Hennie (Allen), also of Santa Barbara. 4 granddaughters, Antonina Gaudin, Shannon Blomst, Kristen Oh, and Lisa Davis, 3 great grandsons Kyle Reid, Anthony Gaudin, and Nicholas Gaudin, and step-granddaughter Lisa Crowder. As a decorated Canadian Navigator he earned 7 medals during his RCAF service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, 1939-1945 Star and War Medal, the Bomber Command Bar, the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Defence Medal, and the France and Germany Star, as well as receiving a lifetime achievement award for his service. He was a longstanding member of the 902 RCAF Aero Camino wing, in Santa Barbara.

Jim was an avid bowler, a pilot, and an usher and faithful member of his church All Saints by the Sea. After his first term of service in the RCAF he attended Carlton University in Ontario, Canada, earning a Bachelor Degree in Commerce. After retiring from the RCAF in 1968, he moved the family to Santa Barbara and started his career as a Social worker for Santa Barbara County, for the better part of two decades before retiring in 1988. ‘We lead’ was the motto of one of his Squadrons, this seems to have been the motto of his heart as well. Ever the leader, kind and fair, he truly led us all as he fought the good war.

Viewing will be held at Welch-Ryce mortuary downtown on December 10, 2015 from 11am-7pm.
All are welcomed to Church services which will be held at All Saints by the Sea on December 11, 2015 at 11am, and graveside services immediately following at Santa Barbara Cemetery.

Please join us to celebrate his life at a Reception after the services from 1-4pm at Cody’s on Hollister and Turnpike in Goleta.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to Carlton University in Ontario, Canada.
The family would like to thank the Staff of Country Gardens for the wonderful care, kindness and love given to our Father and for the support and well wishes he has received from his many friends. He loved this community, and it is apparent that his love was whole-heartedly reciprocated.

As said by a friend, and felt by all who knew him – “That he should die on Thanksgiving is poignant, because it is men like him that we should all be thankful for – for his service, his example, and his wonderful spirit.”