1921
Cecil
2017
Cecil Tompkins
January 10, 1921 — August 14, 2017
An amazing man, Cecil Tompkins, 96, of Mission, KS passed away Monday, August 14 at Brighton Gardens in Prairie Village, KS. Cecil was born in Glendale, AZ in 1921 to Walter and Estella (Milton) Tompkins. With his parents, five brothers, four sisters, a tom turkey and a parrot, he moved to Noel, MO, graduating from Noel High School in 1938. After enlisting in the Navy at the start of WWll, Cecil proudly served in the Pacific as a Hospital Corpsman on Kwajalein Island in the Marshalls. Cecil and his five brothers all served simultaneously, in all branches of the service, in both the European and Pacific theaters. Miraculously all returned home safely.
Cecil remained in the Navy, retiring as Senior Chief Petty Officer after 22 years of service. He then worked for the F.A.A., where he spent another 24 years as a Physician’s Assistant GP-2, developing various clinical programs.
Cecil married the former Naomi Bennett, who he met after selling her some rotten tomatoes at the local market in Noel. They were blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Cecilia. His Navy career took them to Colorado, Georgia and finally Olathe, KS. They maintained their home in Denver as a getaway spot, where many wonderful times were spent camping and fishing for trout in the streams of Colorado.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Aretta, Everett, Margaret, Lawrence, Henry, Glenna, George, Harold and his loving wife Naomi of 57 years.
Cecil is survived by his daughters Kathy Tompkins (Roger Rains, dec.), Cecilia Tompkins McCluskey (Pete), granddaughter Lauren McCluskey, sister Bessie Furlow of Concord, CA, generations of nieces and nephews, countless neighbors and friends, especially the Pearsons, and Ron and Susie Zils, who he lovingly considered family.
Cecil was extremely proud of his military service. He was passionate about KU basketball. He loved animals. He enjoyed Friday Happy Hour at Mission Square and the penny slots at various casinos around Kansas City.
A viewing will be held Thursday, August 24th at Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204, starting at 10:00 a.m., with memorial service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a burial service with military honors at Leavenworth National Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Cecil’s life at Mission Square, 6220 Martway, Mission, KS starting at 3:30 after the burial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Unleashed Pet Rescue, 5918 Broadmoor, Mission, KS 66202.
Cecil remained in the Navy, retiring as Senior Chief Petty Officer after 22 years of service. He then worked for the F.A.A., where he spent another 24 years as a Physician’s Assistant GP-2, developing various clinical programs.
Cecil married the former Naomi Bennett, who he met after selling her some rotten tomatoes at the local market in Noel. They were blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Cecilia. His Navy career took them to Colorado, Georgia and finally Olathe, KS. They maintained their home in Denver as a getaway spot, where many wonderful times were spent camping and fishing for trout in the streams of Colorado.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Aretta, Everett, Margaret, Lawrence, Henry, Glenna, George, Harold and his loving wife Naomi of 57 years.
Cecil is survived by his daughters Kathy Tompkins (Roger Rains, dec.), Cecilia Tompkins McCluskey (Pete), granddaughter Lauren McCluskey, sister Bessie Furlow of Concord, CA, generations of nieces and nephews, countless neighbors and friends, especially the Pearsons, and Ron and Susie Zils, who he lovingly considered family.
Cecil was extremely proud of his military service. He was passionate about KU basketball. He loved animals. He enjoyed Friday Happy Hour at Mission Square and the penny slots at various casinos around Kansas City.
A viewing will be held Thursday, August 24th at Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204, starting at 10:00 a.m., with memorial service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a burial service with military honors at Leavenworth National Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Cecil’s life at Mission Square, 6220 Martway, Mission, KS starting at 3:30 after the burial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Unleashed Pet Rescue, 5918 Broadmoor, Mission, KS 66202.
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