17. James Watson³ Thoms (Alexander Baillie², Charles Martin¹, John^A Thom)⁽⁴⁹⁾ was born in New York, New York, NY 8 Feb 1915.⁽⁵⁰⁾ Jim died 6 Dec 1972 in Lancaster, Los Angeles, CA, at 57 years of age.⁽⁵¹⁾ Died of complications from lung cancer. He was a heavy cigarette smoker up until 5 years before he died. He died at home, 42939 Staffordshire Dr., Lancaster, CA. Causes of death on the death certificate are 1. Acute circulatory failure (heart attack), 2. Inanition (exhaustion from lack of nourishment; starvation) and debilitation, 3. Carcinomatosis (Epidromoid carcinoma right lung). His body was interred 11 Dec 1972 in Mojave, Kern, CA, Mojave Cemetery.⁽⁵²⁾ Funeral director was Stickel Mortuaries in Mojave, CA.

He married three times. He married Muriel Louise Nickerson in Long Beach, Los Angeles, CA, 17 Apr 1937.⁽⁵³⁾ Officiated by Charles F. Ensign, Clergyman, and witnessed by James' brother Robert.

Muriel was born in South Attleboro, Bristol, MA 14 Apr 1913.⁽⁵⁴⁾ Muriel⁽⁵⁵⁾ was the daughter of Ira Bancroft Nickerson and Mary Louise Clegg. Muriel died 16 Nov 1992 in Laguna Hills, Orange, CA, at 79 years of age.⁽⁵⁶⁾ She had a heart attack the summer of 1988, and had recovered fairly well - although she complained about the bland food that "Meals on Wheels" brought her. The fatal heart attack happened while shopping in Alpha Beta on Saturday, 14 Nov 1992 with her husband. Her condition was fairly stable until the doctor ordered morphine early Monday morning to relieve chest pain, which lowered her blood pressure enough to where she expired that morning. Her death was sudden, and a shock to her family.

Her body was interred 23 Nov 1992 in Inglewood, Los Angeles, CA, Inglewood Park Cemetery.⁽⁵⁷⁾ Muriel worked as a secretary for Pacific Telephone Co. in Los Angeles, CA for 37 years. She likely took up the job at the telephone company because her mother Mary had worked at the telephone company when they lived in Colorado.

She and her husband John Simons lived at 25186 Pike Rd., Laguna Hills, CA from 1971 until her death in Nov 1992.

Grandma Simons had always seemed far away to me, since she lived in California, and I lived in Rochester, NY as a child. However, I do remember visiting her and grandpa several times growing up, mostly for holidays. Her home seemed sterile and not kid-friendly at all, probably because my family was really her only contact with children. One trip in particular I remember was one Christmas (1970?) when just mom and the kids went to California. We must have landed in San Diego, because I remember the bus trip from the airport was excruciatingly long, after the 7 hour plane ride. I do remember hearing House Sparrows all over the place - that sound has always stuck with me. California seemed like such a tropical place back then - palm trees, warm weather... Then, after living there from 1976-1990, my perceptions were changed. :-) Grandma Simons was a good grandmother, she wrote letters and called fairly often. When we visited, she would go with us to places like Disneyland, or show us the Queen Mary ship that grandpa had worked on in Long Beach. After moving to California, I was able to see her more often and spent many holidays visiting. She participated in the "big" moments of my life as well: graduations, my wedding, my first son. I will miss her.

He married Helen McAvoy about 1943. (Additional notes for Helen McAvoy⁽⁵⁸⁾)

Jim was divorced from Muriel Louise Nickerson in San Fernando, Los Angeles, CA, about 1941. Jim was divorced from Helen McAvoy before 1950. Apparently, James was named after his maternal grandfather, James Watt, and his mother's middle name Watson. Jim lived with his grandfather Charles Martin Thoms while growing up, and looked upon his relationship with his grandfather fondly.

He worked at Coca Cola Bottling Co. in Los Angeles, CA as a saleman. Also worked as an insurance agent for New York Life Insurance in Fresno, CA while married to Helen. Later, he wanted to invest in land and housing in the Mojave area, where he moved with his third wife Margaret. This didn't work out, but he sought and was appointed Postmaster in Mojave, CA, and was also the regional postmaster. He was able to get the regional processing center moved to Mojave and designed the post office in Mojave, CA, which was officially opened in February 1960.

He was a Republican, and apparently contributed much to the Republican party in the 50's and 60's, as a thank-you letter from then Vice President Richard Nixon shows:

" July 9, 1960

Dear Mr. Thoms,

This is just a note to thank you for your splendid assistance in getting out the Republican vote in the June 7th Primary.

Nothing could have been more gratifying, I can assure you, than the heartwarming vote of confidence which I received from my home state. I know that the surprisingly large turn- out would not have been possible if it had not been for the diligent and dedicated efforts of you and your co-workers.

I think you will agree with me that the returns make even brighter than before our prospects of carrying the State in November, and I look forward to working with you in the weeks ahead with renewed vigor and enthusiasm to achieve victory for our Republican cause.

With appreciation and every good wish,

Sincerely, (signed) Dick Nixon"

I do not remember much about my Grandpa Thoms, other than he was very sick before he died. I do remember visiting him and Margaret in Mojave, CA with my family (1968?). He had a 1966 Ford Mustang, and he bred Great Danes. They lived in the desert, which was a new experience for me - sand and cactus. I also remember visiting again, when he was getting ill (1972?). He was in bed most of the time, so we didn't get to see him much. I do remember swimming in his very warm pool and getting sunburned. Just before he died, my mom sensed the urgency of communicating with him, and I drew a Thanksgiving card for him and sent it via rush mail. It was not long after then that he died.

James Watson Thoms and Muriel Louise Nickerson had the following child:

+ 18 i. Sandra Lynn⁴ Thoms (still alive).

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