Glynn Robert Tompkins

Glynn Robert Tompkins, age 80, passed away at his home in Waskom on March 4, 2024 surrounded by his family. Funeral Service will be held at First Baptist Church in Waskom, TX on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 2:00pm. Visitation will be held at the church from 1pm-2pm. Interment will be in Restland Cemetery, Waskom, TX following the funeral service. Glynn was born at home in Waskom, Texas on December 22, 1943. He grew up enjoying the days of "Gasoline Alley" in Waskom. He graduated from Waskom High School and found enough work ethics from his Dad and his favored uncle (R.A. Tompkins) in the Oil/Gas business to be successful in life without college. He began his career at Universal Mfg. Co.- Bossier City, La. in 1962, leaving there to open a new business (Tompkins I-20 Mobil) as the Interstate Highway system opened in 1965. He would continue to manage this business for the next 16 years accompanied by his father.
But he also elected to re-enter the work force during that time with a short venture with Western Electric in Shreveport, then to Fabsteel where he enjoyed 19 years in their Purchasing Group. He always described his time at Fabsteel as being more than just a job...it was family. When Fabsteel closed in 1985 he was offered a sales position with a Fort Worth based company (Aztec Mfg. Co.) This firm purchased the galvanizing facility that once belonged to Fabsteel. The sales position with Aztec Galvanizing soon included sales for Waskom & Houston, but for a short time. He then accepted the Sales Manager position for three of their plants, traveling for Waskom, TX, Jackson, MS, and Moss Point, MS (Near Mobile, Al.) For the next twenty-five years he enjoyed his sales career with Aztec, which is now AZZ, Inc. This part of his career found a delightful customer base and a host of associates that made the job most enjoyable. He exceeded one million three hundred thousand miles during this time without an at fault accident. After retirement from AZZ, he represented Innovative Industrial Fabricators in Keithville, La. and was surrounded once again by another group of associates and customers of which he often referred to with..."I can't believe they pay me to do this". Oddly enough, he was associated with Fabsteel & Aztec, based on the same property in Waskom for 45 years.
He often said that God surely Interceded for him in life and with that his success came from those around him that knew more than he did. He was a member at FBC-Waskom and enjoyed Men's Class there for 50 years. He enjoyed life with his family and friends. Was President of Cralon at Dixie Lake for a number of years and he also served as a Fire Commissioner for Waskom's Emergency Service District 7. Although he enjoyed his family most of all, he also enjoyed his model railroad collection, billiards and found classic cars enjoyable, especially those that reminded him of being ("Lost in the 50's"). He loved music and his 50's collectables of Gasoline Alley including his "Juke Box" that was a favorite. He is preceded in death by his father & mother, L.S. "Farmer" Tompkins and Mildred Parris Tompkins. His favored Uncle, R.A. Tompkins. He is survived by his wife, Dianne Myers Tompkins of 60 years, son, Dr. Robert Barry Tompkins and wife, Debbie of Lindale, TX; daughter, Lisa Tompkins Ponder and husband, Dee of Brandon, MS; three grandchildren, Colten Ponder and wife, Marlee of Midway, KY, Garrett Ponder and wife, Jessica of Denver, CO and Dr. Angela Cade and husband, Wesley of Lindale, TX.; three great-grandchildren, Asher Cade, Jonah Cade and Porter Ponder; two sisters, Betty Tompkins Hall Davis & husband, Joe & Shirley Tompkins Crawford, all from Waskom; plus a host of nieces & nephews & numerous other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.