Robert "Bob" Claude Tompkins, 90, of Huntington, WV, passed away January 17, 2018. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by Pastor Bob Ray. Burial will in Fantinekill Cemetery, Ellenville, New York. He was born February 26, 1927 in Ellenville, NY, a son of the late Claude and Bertha Low Clifford Tompkins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Irene Kelsey Tompkins; one sister, Laverne Heusser; and two brothers, Roland and Emory Tompkins. He is survived by his wife JoAnn Lovejoy Sowards Tompkins; two daughters, Bonnie Jean Quick of Ellenville, NY and Karen Adkins of Milton, WV; three sons, Robert Charles Tompkins of Saltville, VA, George David Sowards of Paintsville, KY, and Roger Lee Sowards of Williamsburg, VA; grandchildren, David and Christopher Tompkins and Jennifer and Harold Quick; and three great-grandchildren, Wesley, William, and Walon Golab. Mr. Tompkins lived a long and full life. He played trumpet with Clayton’s Military Band and later with his church band in Florida. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. He was a volunteer fire fighter with Pioneer Engine Co. in Ellenville for many years. He retired from New York State Corrections after serving from 1952-1980. He had a strong faith in God and believed in Salvation by grace through Jesus Christ. We have no doubt that he is in Heaven with God. He was a wonderful father and a wonderful husband to each of his wives, Elizabeth for almost 60 years and JoAnn for 7 ½ years. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Online condolences may be expressed to the family www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
