Birth Born on May 09, 1915 in Downs, Osborne Co., KS Death Died on November 16, 2009 in Springfield, Greene Co., MO Buried in Lone Star Cemetery in Mountain Grove, Wright Co., MO Marriages NICHOLS, Helen Marion Married on November 28, 1988 in Mountain Grove, Wright Co., MO Notes Occupation: Welder/ Electrician/ Miner/ Snake Hunter Obituary: Funeral services for Oral "Tom" Tompkins, were held on Friday, November 20, 2009 in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with Rev. Greg Thompson officiating. Stephanie Gaston served as singer. Song selections were "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art," and "I'll Fly Away." Pallbearers were Paul Gaston, Tommie Gaston, Harland Mayfield, Evan Tyrrell, Nicholas Moody and Leonard Sanders. Burial was in the Lone Star Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove, Mo. Oral J. "Tom" Tompkins, son of the late Ervin Erskine and Lola Belle (Hawley) Tompkins, was born on May 9, 1915 in Kansas and departed this life on Monday, November 16, 2009 in the Manor Care Nursing Center in Springfield, Mo. He was 94 years, 6 months and 7 days of age. Tom grew up in the Gunnison, Co. area and graduated from Gunnison High School. He was united in marriage to Grace Yoder on July 9, 1938 in Gunnison, Co. Three children were born to this union. Following Tom's retirement in 1977, they moved to Mountain Grove, Mo. Mrs. Tompkins passed away on February 5, 1988. Following the death of Grace, in the fall of 1988 he married Helen M. "Penny" Nichols. They lived on Frisco Street in Mountain Grove for many years before making their home in the Autumn Oaks Caring Center. Tom was employed as a welder in the shipyards during World War II. He had various jobs over the years, such as; an electrician, miner, and hunting snakes. He also had his Pastor's license. Tom had several hobbies throughout his life. He enjoyed playing the drums in area bands and woodworking. While his health permitted, he attended the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church in Mountain Grove where he enjoyed visiting with his many friends. Besides his parents and his first wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Clyde; and by one sister, Eilene. He is survived by his two sons, Scott Tompkins and his wife, Sandy, of Hawaii, and Bernie Tompkins and his wife, Debbie, of Arlington, Texas; one daughter, Lillie Gaston and her husband, Paul, of Mountain Grove and North Fort Myers, Florida; his wife, Helen "Penny" Tompkins of Mountain Grove; nine grandchildren, Tommie, Shona, Joy, Rocky, Bonnie, Melody, Traci, Nikki, and Christi; nine great grandchildren, Marinda, Nick, Stephanie, LeAnna, Cody, Morgan, Bailey, Kaeden, and Elijah; one great great grandchild, Peyton; one sister, Elsie Martin of Colorado; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him very much. Online Condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com Images Oral Tompkins Oral Tompkins WW2 Draft