Jack LeRoy Thompson

Jack LeRoy “Papa Bear” Thompson, age 79, of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on January 1, 2026.

Jack was born on August 26, 1946, in Stanley, North Dakota, to Marion Truman Thompson and Ruth Irene (Wahus) Thompson. He grew up in White Earth, North Dakota, where he attended grade school, and later graduated from Tioga High School in 1965.

On February 5, 1966, Jack married the love of his life, Gail Ann Cramer, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Tioga, North Dakota. Together they built a life filled with faith, family, hard work, and laughter.

After high school, Jack worked for the Forest Service in Troy, Montana, then on oil rigs in North Dakota. He later moved to Roosevelt, Utah, where he owned and operated Jack’s Insulation and Sheet Metal. In 1981, he was honored as Businessman of the Year, an achievement that earned him and his family a trip to Washington, D.C. In 1990, Jack and family relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to be close to his mom, where he worked in outside sales for Brack’s Hardware, then for AFLAC—often joking that he became what he once despised most, an insurance salesman. He later worked at Harper’s and finished his career as a CDL truck driver for Watkins Shepard. Even in retirement, Jack never stopped “selling,” finding joy in yard sales and Knights of Columbus raffles.

Jack joined the Knights of Columbus on May 30, 1996, and became a 4th Degree Knight on September 13, 2014. His faith was central to his life, and he cherished praying the Rosary with his wife and children.

An avid outdoorsman, Jack loved hunting and fishing and passed that love on to his family. He proudly took Hunter Education classes alongside all his children and many of his grandchildren, creating treasured memories of their first deer taken with Papa Bear by their side. He also enjoyed sewing, bird and squirrel watching, and singing—whether in the church choir or at karaoke. A lifelong sports fan, he faithfully cheered for the Minnesota Vikings before later embracing the Seattle Seahawks. Jack loved watching Gunsmoke and M.A.S.H., playing basketball with his children and grandchildren and watching the Zags, telling jokes, sharing stories, and making people laugh. Among his many adventures, he even soloed an airplane.

Jack was active in many organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, the NRA, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America (where he served as a leader), and the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Gail Thompson; his children: Michelle (Ken) Winn, Jackie (Joseph) Fox, Chris (Kari) Thompson, Nikki Thorneycroft, and Carl (Katie) Thompson; his siblings: Clarice Phillipi, Roy (Barb) Thompson, and Marlys Blagden; Grandchildren: Tausha(Matthew) Hunter, Jonathan (Brittany) Fox, Jacob (Ryley) Fox, Kenneth Winn, Jessica Fox, Denver Winn, Samantha Williamson, Jeremy (Larissa) Fox, Shawn (Alaysia) Thompson, Quinn ( Kensie) Thorneycroft, Crimson (Nick) Farina, Julianna Saltus, Rachael (Dustin) Bereta, Haily (Jesus) Ayala, Elijah Thorneycroft, Annika Thompson, Jeri Thorneycroft, Christopher Thompson, Adam Winn, Noah(Amara) Winn.

Great Grandchildren: Kenneth, Ella, Elissa, Melchizedek, Karsen, Kilian, Milo, Ava, Adrian, Rosalind, Xander, Acheron, Johnny, Jack, Maisey, David, Daniel, Violet, Emmaline, Juniper, Hazel, Rowan, Julian, and 2 more on the way.

Not to mention the numerous children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that he claimed and insisted call him Papa Bear.

Jack was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, Truman and Ruth Thompson, and his sister, Ramona Niblock.

Jack will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, faithful servant, storyteller, jokester, and friend to many. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the traditions he passed down, and the laughter he shared so freely.

The services will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake on Saturday Jan 10th. The viewing is from 9:30-10:45. Service starts at 11. There is a family ceremony at the gravesite. Everyone else will meet after at St. Joseph’s hall for a luncheon. Papa Bear’s favorite color was red, so you are more than welcome to come in red.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to www.touco.org in Jack’s memory.