Honoring
James “Jim” Lee Thompson

It is with deep sorrow and gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of James “Jim” Lee Thompson on December 27, 2025. Jim died peacefully at the age of 84 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was the beloved son of Robert and Marjorie Thompson.

Jim grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the middle of three sons, where he was raised in a home that deeply valued integrity, education, and decency, along with a love of sports and the outdoors. After graduating from Bethesda Chevy Chase Senior High School in 1959, Jim attended Yale University. His years at Yale were foundational to his life. There, he developed the rigorous study habits that would define his legal career, formed lifelong friendships he treasured, and earned the distinction of captaining the Yale Bulldogs football team and playing in their undefeated 1960 season, an achievement of which he remained immensely proud.

Following Yale, Jim attended the University of Virginia School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1966. He went on to serve his country as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970. In 1970, Jim joined the law firm of Miller, Miller & Canby, where he would spend his entire legal career.

At Miller, Miller & Canby, Jim earned a reputation for exemplary ethical standards, professionalism, and collegiality, forging lifelong friendships with his partners and colleagues. The firm provided him not only a platform to practice law at the highest level, but also an avenue to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the legal profession. Among his many accomplishments, Jim played a role in the creation of the Southern Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, contributed to the Designated Conciliator Program in Montgomery County, and was a founding member of the National Association and the Owners’ Council. Jim was also an active and influential member of both the Maryland State Bar Association and the Montgomery County Bar Association, serving as president of both for a year term as well as being inducted into both the Maryland and American Bar Foundations for his contributions to the profession.  A devoted mentor, Jim generously guided younger attorneys both within his firm and through the Young Lawyers sections of the state and county bar associations.

Deeply civic-minded, Jim provided pro bono legal advice in his community and served as Chair of the Lawyers’ Division for the United Way of Montgomery County. Over the course of his distinguished career, he received numerous honors recognizing his excellence, leadership, and service. He was widely respected for his courtesy, integrity, and unwavering professionalism, exemplified by his receipt of the Century of Service Award, recognizing one of the 32 most influential legal figures in Montgomery County during the 20th century. Jim was intensely proud of his profession and dedicated himself fully to the practice of law, achieving the highest levels of accomplishment through tireless commitment and principled service.

Despite a demanding professional life, Jim also made time for his family. He enthusiastically  coached his sons in Pee-Wee football, taught them tennis and billiards, and spent long, cherished summer days together at the family’s lake home. His four-season retreat at Deep Creek Lake was a source of deep joy and renewal—whether sailing, skiing, entertaining friends and family, or adding thoughtfully to his art collection. Jim’s first friends, his brothers Tom and John, remained among his closest, and their multi-family vacations were lively, and filled with family fun.

An avid traveler, Jim embraced opportunities for adventure, whether attending Yale reunions, or participating in Maryland Bar Association excursions. Larger than life not only in stature but in spirit, Jim lived fully, worked passionately, and enjoyed his life. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Jim is survived by his two sons, James (Rebecca) and Thomas; his four grandchildren, Evelyn, Zachary, Timothy, and Maddox; his brothers John (Catherine) and Robert (Diane), and their families; his former wife and the mother of his sons, Diana; and his longtime companion, Mayda, and her family.

A Celebration of Life Service honoring Jim’s exceptional life will be held at 1:00pm PST on March 1, 2026.  Register below.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.