Jeremy "Jay" Thompson

Jeremy Thompson ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Isburg Funeral Chapels - Pierre on Mar. 9, 2026.Jeremy Jay Thompson passed away due to complications from cancer on Friday, March 6, 2026, in the company of family, at Maryhouse in Pierre, South Dakota. He was 61.Called Jay or JT by those who knew him best, he was born on February 11, 1965, in Pierre, South Dakota, to Gerald and LaVonne (Fleury) Thompson. Jay grew up in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, the middle child of five siblings. Like most middle kids, Jay was independent, rebellious, and competitive but also funny, outgoing, and loyal.A 1983 graduate of Stanley County High School, Jay worked various jobs in Rapid City, South Dakota; Phoenix, Arizona; and Pierre, before deciding to join the South Dakota Army National Guard in 1988. He served with the 147th Field Artillery Regiment as a Switching Systems Operator and reached the rank of Sgt E-5 by the time he was honorably discharged in 1994. Jay was a proud veteran for the rest of his life.Before leaving for boot camp, Jay met Kelly Collins Thompson, a Minnesota girl who had just moved to Pierre after college. They dated and lived together for five years before finally getting married on October 16, 1993. Jay joked that since he couldn't get a girl in South Dakota, he had to import one from out-of-state. They made their home together first in Fort Pierre and then Pierre.After his military service, Jay became a parts man at both Sioux Auto Electric and General Trading in Pierre; his career also included a stint as a driver for Envirotech Waste Services and a repair technician for Automatic Vendors. Jay ultimately decided to put his military training to work and became a communications technician for Communications Center in Pierre, installing emergency and radio equipment in law enforcement vehicles. He frequently commented about what a nice change it was to be in the front seat of a police car instead of the back. Communications Center closed its doors in Pierre while Jay was undergoing cancer treatment for his first bout with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2016 so when he was back on his feet, he opened his own shop – JT's Upfitters – which he ran from his garage until 2025, when his cancer returned a second time.Jay was a lifelong tinkerer and could take apart and fix almost anything. He was happiest when he had a project to work on, from the mini-bike chopper he called Mort through the series of Harleys he worked on and rode over many years to the ultimate project that was just getting finished when his cancer returned – the 10-year restoration of a 1949 Chevy Pickup he called Grandpa. Anyone looking for Jay could find him in his garage, with his shop dog Charlie by his side, golf or a car restoration show on the TV, and a red solo cup on the table in front of him.In his leisure time, Jay loved to shoot pool and it showed – he was good at it. He played on many teams over decades with the VNEA 8-Ball and SDABA pool leagues, winning awards for both single and team play at city and state tournaments. Even if he took a break for a year or two, his skill at pool never diminished, much to the chagrin of his opponents. Jay was also one of the early members of the Oahe Chapter of ABATE, and loved working on and riding motorcycles. Wherever he went and whatever he did, Jay made friends, some of which became lifelong brothers and sisters to him. Those relationships remained important to him for the rest of his life.Jay is survived by his wife Kelly; siblings Vonda (Todd) Mercer, Junior (Tina) Thompson, Bonnie (Larry) Cromwell, and Jared (Steffnie) Thompson; nieces and nephews Brittney (Dan) Schulte, Savannah Cromwell (Ryan Raynor), Jordan Cromwell, Daulton (Kylie) Mercer, Alexis (Spencer) Merkel, and Blaise Thompson; great nieces and nephews Faryn Schulte, Kwynn Mercer, Asher Mercer, Maxin Merkel, and Nolan Merkel; father-in-law Carroll Collins; and sister-in-law Cathy (John) Collins-Adler.He was preceded in death by his mother LaVonne Fleury Thompson and his mother-in-law Mary Kay Reiter Collins.As per Jay's wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. A Celebration of Life and internment at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis will be held at a later date.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.