EL CENTRO - What is usually a very busy business here in town, The El Centro Animal Clinic had to close its doors on Monday afternoon as the death of its owner, Dr. James Lloyd Thompson left both employees and customers very distraught.
"I am very shock", says El Centro Resident, Patty Barber. "I've been bringing them since about 1995. They've taken care of all of my animals and I've had quite a few through the years. I have quite a few right now. It was a big shock when I came here tonight. I came to pick up my dog's medicine. And it really upset me".
The FAA lost communication with Dr. Thompson's Piper Cherokee light aircraft around 9pm on Sunday night. About an hour later, Customs and Border Protection called The Pima County Sheriff's Department and reported a wrecked aircraft to the Northwest of Tucson.
During the investigation in the early hours of Monday morning, authorities confirmed the identity of the sole occupant of the airplane as Dr. Thompson.
Tammy Armijo worked for Dr. Thompson. She says that he was more than just a Doctor; he was a wonderful human being and couldn't have asked for a better boss.
"Very good, he had wonderful sense of humor", she says. "He played music in surgery and everything. Good man to work for, very good man, he had lots of very good hobbies".
This El Centro Animal Clinic was owned by Dr. Thompson. On Monday afternoon the doors were closed to the surprise of many. Including Jessica Duran, whose dog doesn't take a liking too many people, except Dr. Thompson.
JESSICA DURAN: "He would bark at everybody, like literally everybody" says Jessica. "If you would get close to me, he would bark. I brought him to the doctor to follow up with his shots and for some reason he just didn't bark at the doctor. He would lick him all over and play with him and everything".
There are a couple parking spots that reserved for Dr. Thompson and his wife. Sadly, the one reserved for Dr. Thompson will no longer have an occupant.
Dr. James Lloyd Thompson was 57 years old.
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