James L. "Johnny Ray" Thompson was born and raised in the small town of Canton,Mississippi. After graduating from Canton Public High School, he attended Holmes junior College which is located in Goodman,Mississippi, and from which he received an Associate of Arts Degree in General Business Administration. He later went on and attended Mississippi State University which is located in Starkville,Mississippi, and from which he received two undergraduate degrees; one in General Business Administration and one in Management.