Robert Claude Tompkins

ROBERT "BOB" CLAUDE TOMPKINS, 90, of Huntington, W.Va. and formerly of Ellenville, N.Y., passed away January 17, 2018. He was born February 26, 1927, in Ellenville, N.Y., a son of the late Claude and Bertha Low Clifford Tompkins.

Bob 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, N.Y., and Karen Adkins of Milton, W.Va.; 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 firefighter with Pioneer Engine Company 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. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 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 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 24th at the Humiston Funeral Home, Kerhonkson. The funeral service will begin at 11am. Burial will follow at Fantinekill Cemetery, Ellenville.

To send a personal condolence to Bob’s family please visit humistonfuneralhome.com.