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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Richard 'Rich'
Diehl Tompkins
April 20, 1946 – July 21, 2015
Obituary
Mr. Richard 'Rich' Diehl Tompkins, age 69, of Mears, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2015. He was born April 20, 1946, in Shelby to Lyle and Evelyn (Diehl) Tompkins. He graduated from Hart High School with the Class of 1964 and went on to graduate from Michigan State University with a BA degree. On December 21, 1974 he married Carole VanDam in Portage, Michigan; they were married forty years. Rich was employed as a school teacher in the Fremont and Reeths Puffer School Districts until his retirement in 1997. He was a member of the Hart United Methodist Church and very active in coaching, cross country, track & field events. Rich also enjoyed his work at the Oceana Golf Club, as an associate at the King Funeral Home in Hart and also as a driver for Bill and Mac Woods dune rides.
He was the Executive Director of the Michigan High School Coaches Association, and also was inducted into the Muskegon Coaches Hall of Fame, Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame, National High School Coaches Hall of Fame, High School Fremont Athletic Club and the Michigan State University Varsity Club. Rich was very active on church committees, Hart Lions Club, Lighthouse Seekers Group and also as an official for wrestling and track & field events.
Richard is survived by his wife, Carole Tompkins; sister, Linda (Clem) McLouth of Hart; brother, Charles (Carol) Tompkins of Muskegon; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Eleanor VanDam of Grand Haven; and brother-in-law, David (Helen) VanDam of Portage. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Harvey VanDam, and his sister-in-law, Nancy VanDam.
The Funeral Service for Mr. Tompkins will be Monday, July 27, 2015, at 11:00 am at Hart United Methodist Church in Hart with Pastor Steve Young officiating. Interment will be in Hart Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at King Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Hart and Monday one hour prior the service at the church. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Hart United Methodist Church, 308 South State Street, Hart, MI 49420, or Community Foundation for Oceana County (Richard and Carole Tompkins Scholarship Fund), PO Box 367, Shelby, MI 49455 or Fremont Area Community Foundation (Richard and Carole Tompkins Scholarship Fund), PO Box B, Fremont, MI 49412.
To send flowers or a sympathy card, please use the Expressions of Sympathy link to the left.
He was the Executive Director of the Michigan High School Coaches Association, and also was inducted into the Muskegon Coaches Hall of Fame, Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame, National High School Coaches Hall of Fame, High School Fremont Athletic Club and the Michigan State University Varsity Club. Rich was very active on church committees, Hart Lions Club, Lighthouse Seekers Group and also as an official for wrestling and track & field events.
Richard is survived by his wife, Carole Tompkins; sister, Linda (Clem) McLouth of Hart; brother, Charles (Carol) Tompkins of Muskegon; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Eleanor VanDam of Grand Haven; and brother-in-law, David (Helen) VanDam of Portage. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Harvey VanDam, and his sister-in-law, Nancy VanDam.
The Funeral Service for Mr. Tompkins will be Monday, July 27, 2015, at 11:00 am at Hart United Methodist Church in Hart with Pastor Steve Young officiating. Interment will be in Hart Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at King Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Hart and Monday one hour prior the service at the church. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Hart United Methodist Church, 308 South State Street, Hart, MI 49420, or Community Foundation for Oceana County (Richard and Carole Tompkins Scholarship Fund), PO Box 367, Shelby, MI 49455 or Fremont Area Community Foundation (Richard and Carole Tompkins Scholarship Fund), PO Box B, Fremont, MI 49412.
To send flowers or a sympathy card, please use the Expressions of Sympathy link to the left.
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