Mr. Joel Tompkins' Obituary
Joel Tompkins age 82 of Mr. Juliet, Tennessee died on Saturday, September 5, 2020. Mr. Tompkins was born October 30, 1937 in Asheville, North Carolina. His parents, who preceded him in death, were Joel S. Tompkins and Helen F. Tompkins.
Mr. Tompkins graduated from the Manlius Military Academy in 1955 and enrolled in The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. In February 1957 he left Sewanee and entered the Navy with the hopes of making the Navy a career. Unfortunately serious injury and lengthy hospitalizations made it necessary for him to be placed on the Temporary Disability Retiree List. At that time he returned to Sewanee and graduated in 1964 with a degree in English.
Mr. Tompkins then went to work as an Employment Counselor with the Tennessee Department of Employment Security. At the same time, he began to use The G.I. Bill to obtain two Masters Degrees at MTSU; an MEd in 1969 and an MA Cum Laude in Industrial Psychology in 1973.
Due to his electronics in the Navy, he met, courted, and wed his third wife, Ann A. Tompkins, a coworker in Employment Security. Mr. Tompkins and his wife enjoyed travelling in their RV and eventually joined Music City Sam’s RV Club where he served as Assistant Wagon Master and President for two terms.
Upon retirement from Employment Security in 1996, the Tompkins travelled extensively in their RV, eventually visiting 44 of the 48 continental United States. In later years they bought a winter home in South Texas where they usually spent three months each winter, after Christmas. Besides travelling, Mr. Tompkins belonged to the American Legion, Post 88 in Donelson, and The Elks Lodge in McAllen, Texas.
Mr. Tompkins was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Ann. He was survived by his son Joel (Deanna) and daughter Laurie Gaitskill (Clay), as well as two grandchildren. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Bobby McGlocklin, Tonya McGlocklin, and Chris Blagburn, as well as 3 step-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations in Mr. Tompkins’ memory be made to Disabled American Veterans. www.dav.org.
He requested a Military Funeral, which will be held graveside in Historic Spring Hill Cemetery at 2pm on Friday, September 11, 2020. Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery has been entrusted with the final care of Mr. Tompkins. 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37216. (615) 865-1101. “Where Nashville Comes to Remember.”
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