Nathaniel James Thompson, Jr.

Nathaniel James Thompson, Jr. known as Jim, 91, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 1, 2023.

Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Jim graduated from P.S. duPont Highschool in 1952 and attended Wesley College.  He was employed 38 years at duPont Experimental Station and served in the U.S. Army.

Jim loved singing, family & friends, golfing, boating, skiing, dogs and Philadelphia Sports – especially The Eagles and The Phillies.  He was an avid fan.   Jim was a member of The Chorus of the Brandywine and National Barbershop Society.  He married Jacqueline Baird and raised 3 daughters in Whitebriar of Hockessin, DE, where many great life-long relationships developed.  Family was everything.  They were involved for years with the swim teams where their daughters swam for both Yorklyn Swim Team and The Newark Nomads.  Many weekends were spent being the starter of the meets and travelling to various tri-state areas to compete.  He found his calling – singing in his Barbershop Quartet and The Chorus of the Brandywine, where they also competed.  Summers were spent with the family & friends in Bethany Beach at Sandy Cove camping, fishing, clamming, boating, water skiing and sunning which he still enjoyed throughout his life whether Bethany, Rehoboth, or Florida.  Spring break family vacations were a week camping at Fort Wilderness in Walt Disney, Florida every year, which was priceless.  In the early 80’s they built a summer home in Joy Beach on Rehoboth Bay where the memories continued.

In 1987, Jackie passed away of Breast Cancer, but not before their first two grandchildren, Angela & Shanell arrived.  In 1989, he married Suzanne Pardee Wood who also lost her husband in 1987, he also sang in the Brandywine Chorus.

In 1992, he retired from duPont & they moved to Joy Beach, then in 1995 they moved to Sebring, Florida where they enjoyed retirement in a golf community where they did lots of golfing, boating, cards, socializing with many new friends, and travelling (21 cruises).  During that time, he continued to sing with a new barbershop quartet, played the electric guitar with a band, and acted in a few musicals at the local playhouse.  They spent five summers at The Peninsula in Millsboro where the family would gather which grew with many more grandkids.  Time was also spent at Wayvine winery and vineyard in Oxford, Pa started by his grandson’s, Zachary & James Wilson, where he would help pick the grapes and enjoy the view of the vineyards. Visits to Charleston, to see Bobby and Julia were a favorite too.

In June of 2022, they moved in with his daughter, Linda and her husband Robin Dunlap at Rehoboth Beach, DE.  He loved all the family time with his daughters and their husbands, the grandkids, and the great grandkids, the views, the sun – most days over 60 degrees he would sun on the back deck.  It enabled time to visit, Carolyn and Duane in Pike Creek Valley where they could enjoy deep discussions & always come home with their stock of honey from Douglas Bee Apiary.  His life of 91 years was always with a smile, kind words, and love to all who knew him.  He will be greatly missed.  We love you dad!!!

He was preceded in death by his wife & mother of his children, Jacqueline C. Baird Thompson & his parents, & brother, Robert L., & stepson, Bruce Haas.  He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Suzanne Pardee Thompson, and his 3 daughters, Linda Delario (Robin Dunlap), Nancy Wilson (Dave), and Carolyn Douglas (Duane), & stepson, Robert Haas (Julia), and grandchildren, Angela Kaushal (Karan), Shanell DeBright (Andrew), Zachary Wilson (Trish), James Wilson (Laura-fiancée), Ryan Douglas (Joeylynn-fiancée, Alexa Douglas and Step-Grandchildren, Foster Krebs (Kate), Crawford Krebs (Lindsey), Conrad Haas, Natalie Taylor (Chris), Ryan Dunlap (Heather), Tori Haas & Terry Haas.   Plus 5 great grandchildren & 10 step great grandchildren.  He will forever be remembered as a wonderful father, grandfather, husband, friend, and lifelong singer in Barbershop Quartet & his beautiful a cappella voice when singing at family events.