St. Clair County Obits

HOWARD EARL TOMPKINS

Clinton Daily Democrat
Howard E. Tompkins, 81, of Deepwater, died Thursday, October 28, 1993 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City. Howard Earl Tompkins was born June 27, 1912 to David and Mary Tompkins near Leeton. His early years were spent in the Leeton area where he attended the Cold Springs Rural School.
Howard married Esther Neuenschwander on February 14, 1935, Valentine's Day, in her folks home near Deepwater. To this union were born two children, Rebecca, who died in infancy, and Robert Neill of Warrensburg.
Howard and Esther lived in Amarillo, Texas for two years before returning to Lowry City/Deepwater area. He held various forms of employment including building and operating the Valley Center Market for several years. He also was a school bus driver for the Lowry City School District for 21 years.
The love of Howard's life was his wife, Esther. She was more than a wife to him. She was his best friend and constant companion. Theirs was truly a loving relationship.
Howard was a well-known man. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and seldom met a stranger. He was an avid outdoorsman and spent the greater part of his life hunting or with fine horses. But his greatest love was running his foxhounds. He had no greater enjoyment than to sit around the campfire, listen to the hounds run, and visit with his hunting buddies. He will be truly missed by his family and many friends.
Howard is survived by his wife, Esther of the home; a son, Robert of Warrensburg; two granddaughters, Kyla Creollo of Joplin and Kristie of Sedalia; two great-granddaughters, Kaycie and Kalley of Joplin; three sisters, Edith Jerome of Blairstown, Gladys Poynter of Morgantown, Indiana and Doris Jessup of Butler; several nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Sunday, October 31, at Valley Center United Church of Christ. Burial was in Valley Center Cemetery.