BOMBER MEMORIAL

JAMES MICHAEL "JIM" TOMPKINS ~ Class of 1965
July 2, 1947 - March 11, 2021



Jim was born July 2, 1947, at Kadlec Methodist Hospital in Richland to H. Michael Tompkins and Elsie Eggebroten Tompkins.

As a youth he was a member of the Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts. Jim attended Marcus Whitman Grade School, Carmichael Junior High School and graduated from Richland's Columbia High School with the Class of 1965. He attended the University of Washington, Columbia Basin College and Central Washington State College.

While at CWSC he met his future bride, Margi Byars. He received his draft notice in January of 1969. He took all of his tests but received no orders. So he married Margaret Elizabeth Byars on July 12, 1969.

When they returned from their honeymoon orders were waiting for him to report for active duty in the U. S. Army. He served almost three years, most of it in Germany. He was able to have his wife with him, and they traveled all over Europe on his days off. He made a career of the United States Postal Service.

In October of 1975 his daughter, Karin, was born. Jim and Margi were married over 51 years.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, H. Michael Tompkins; and by his mother, Elsie Eggebroten Tompkins.

He is survived by his brother, John Tompkins ('69) of Richland; his wife, Margi Byars Tompkins of Tukwila; and his daughter, Karin Tompkins Halvorson of Graham, WA.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on March 14, 2021.

Bomber Memorial put together by edited by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).