Ralph O. Tompkins 1921-2002

TOMPKINS, SMITH, SHAFFER

Posted By: Lori Clark (email)
Date: 10/9/2002 at 11:26:24

Ralph O. Tompkins age 80 of 811 10th Ave. in Coralville died on Friday, August 30, 2002 following a brief illness at Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2002 at the Gay and Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City, burial with military rites by Coralville American Legion Walter Johnson Post #721 with assistance by other local organizations at Oak Hill Cemetery in Coralville. Ralph’s family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service time on Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Ralph Tompkins Memorial Fund. The Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service are caring for Ralph’s services and his family.

Ralph Orrin Tompkins was born on November 18, 1921 in Iowa City the son of Roy and Josephine Smith Tompkins. He attended Iowa City Schools and served his country during WWII and later as a member of the National Guard. He married Dorothy C. Shaffer on November 15, 1947 in Cedar Rapids and worked as a Union Carpenter with Garmer Construction in Iowa City. Ralph helped to construct many of Iowa City building’s including the V.A. Medical Center, Mayflower Dorms and many of the other University Of Iowa Buildings. He was a member of the Coralville American Legion and past member of the Moose. Ralph loved to travel, together he and Dorothy traveled to Acapulco for many years during the cold Iowa winters. He was an avid football fan, his granddaughter often referred to him as a “football head.”

His family includes three daughter’s, Candace and husband David Daniels of Iowa City, Pat and husband Ron Prymek of Des Moines and Geraldine Allen of Springdale, Ark., one son: Ronald and wife Virginia Rogers of Tucson, Az., thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great- grandchildren and one great great-grandchild along with a sister Frances Rowland of Iowa City.

His parents, wife Dorothy, brothers: Everett, Richard, Roy and Ray, Sisters: Mildred and Myrtle preceded him in death.