In Memory Of
Ronald Dean Tompkins
1940
2021
Ronald Dean Tompkins
July 18, 1940 — February 3, 2021
Ronald Dean Tompkins, 80 of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021.
He was born July 18, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Roy Henry and Marjorie Faye (Hobbs) Tompkins. He grew up on a family farm in Lacygne, Kansas, and graduated from Lacygne High in 1958. He joined the United States Marine Corp in 1958. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and El Toro, both located in California. His tours included Okinawa Japan and Laos. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal during the Vietnam War. He was honourably discharged from the Marine Corp in 1964. His son Justin Tompkins followed in his footsteps by joining the United States Air Force. Ronald continued his education in Law Enforcement where his highest rank was serving as Chief of Police in Eureka, Kansas. He retired from the Sherriff's Department in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Ronald was a member of the VFW of Topeka, an avid golfer and had a love of History. His thirst of knowledge led him to research his family ancestry to pass down to his children. He loved the Lord, reading his Bible every day and was a certified minister. His western pencil art drawings were one of his many talents, along with writing poems, stories and articles. During the summer months, you could always catch him watching his beloved Royals.
Ronald is preceded in death by his by parents, two brothers; Lorraine Tompkins, Kenneth Tompkins, and one sister, Marjorie Cox.
He married Patricia F Lambert in 1962. To this union, Ronald leaves four children to cherish his memory: Kelly (Dean) Hamel, Hendersonville, NC, Shawn (Theresa) Tompkins, Calico Rock, AR, Kimberly (Richard) Holthaus, Topeka, KS and Justin (Dawn) Tompkins, Topeka, KS.
Later he divorced and married Terry LaVallee in 1994. She survives, along with her children; Joyce (William) Whittaker, Fort Smith, AR, Shawna (Nathan) Swanson, Emporia, KS, Justin Stilwell, Topeka, KS, and Amber (Jared) Jones, Fort Smith, AR.
He was a loving grandfather to 20 grandchildren: Nicole Henley, Courtney Miller, Kelsey Miller, Dustin Holthaus, Corey Holthaus, Megan Eadus, Melanie Hamel, Dylan Hamel, Joey Paz, Melissa Paz, Garrett Tompkins, Christan Jenkins, Leighlee Stevens, Emma Crippen, Aaron Furr, Tyler Furr, Kyra Furr, Carter Stilwell, Aiden Alder, and Ella Alder.
And 16 great-grandchildren: Madyson Henley, Colter Henley, Cole Holthaus, Ella Holthaus, Lyla Holthaus, Baby Holthaus due in June, Hudson Eadus, Emersyn Eadus, Trenton Harris, Jaxon Solon, Kaden Furr, Blair Furr, Belle LaVallee, Stacey Crippen, Emmett Crippen, and Ian Crippen.
Mr Tompkins was cremated after a private family viewing. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Dove Cremations and Funerals - Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To leave a message of condolence for Ronald's family, or to share a special memory of Ronald, visit the guestbook below.
He was born July 18, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Roy Henry and Marjorie Faye (Hobbs) Tompkins. He grew up on a family farm in Lacygne, Kansas, and graduated from Lacygne High in 1958. He joined the United States Marine Corp in 1958. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and El Toro, both located in California. His tours included Okinawa Japan and Laos. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal during the Vietnam War. He was honourably discharged from the Marine Corp in 1964. His son Justin Tompkins followed in his footsteps by joining the United States Air Force. Ronald continued his education in Law Enforcement where his highest rank was serving as Chief of Police in Eureka, Kansas. He retired from the Sherriff's Department in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Ronald was a member of the VFW of Topeka, an avid golfer and had a love of History. His thirst of knowledge led him to research his family ancestry to pass down to his children. He loved the Lord, reading his Bible every day and was a certified minister. His western pencil art drawings were one of his many talents, along with writing poems, stories and articles. During the summer months, you could always catch him watching his beloved Royals.
Ronald is preceded in death by his by parents, two brothers; Lorraine Tompkins, Kenneth Tompkins, and one sister, Marjorie Cox.
He married Patricia F Lambert in 1962. To this union, Ronald leaves four children to cherish his memory: Kelly (Dean) Hamel, Hendersonville, NC, Shawn (Theresa) Tompkins, Calico Rock, AR, Kimberly (Richard) Holthaus, Topeka, KS and Justin (Dawn) Tompkins, Topeka, KS.
Later he divorced and married Terry LaVallee in 1994. She survives, along with her children; Joyce (William) Whittaker, Fort Smith, AR, Shawna (Nathan) Swanson, Emporia, KS, Justin Stilwell, Topeka, KS, and Amber (Jared) Jones, Fort Smith, AR.
He was a loving grandfather to 20 grandchildren: Nicole Henley, Courtney Miller, Kelsey Miller, Dustin Holthaus, Corey Holthaus, Megan Eadus, Melanie Hamel, Dylan Hamel, Joey Paz, Melissa Paz, Garrett Tompkins, Christan Jenkins, Leighlee Stevens, Emma Crippen, Aaron Furr, Tyler Furr, Kyra Furr, Carter Stilwell, Aiden Alder, and Ella Alder.
And 16 great-grandchildren: Madyson Henley, Colter Henley, Cole Holthaus, Ella Holthaus, Lyla Holthaus, Baby Holthaus due in June, Hudson Eadus, Emersyn Eadus, Trenton Harris, Jaxon Solon, Kaden Furr, Blair Furr, Belle LaVallee, Stacey Crippen, Emmett Crippen, and Ian Crippen.
Mr Tompkins was cremated after a private family viewing. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Dove Cremations and Funerals - Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.
To leave a message of condolence for Ronald's family, or to share a special memory of Ronald, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald Dean Tompkins, please visit our flower store.
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