Tom Joseph Tomkinson

Tom was a loving husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa (PePaw), new great-great-grandfather, and brother.

Tom attended Elmhurst High School and played on the basketball team. He then enlisted in the United States Army to serve. He was discharged, after being severely wounded, as a Decorated Korean War Veteran with 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, and 2 Purple Heart medals.

He then married the love of his life, Joan Schemehorn Tomkinson on April 4, 1953. They enjoyed 54 years together before Joan’s passing. They remodeled their dream farmhouse together, enjoyed time in and around the pool with family and friends, enjoyed motor-homing, especially their time in Florida, and eventually the lake house. Tom continued his love of fishing, the view, and the wildlife that came to visit his crabapple tree, on the very lake his family taught him to swim on.

Tom started his working career in the family plumbing business prior to his enlistment in the Army. Once he was able to work, after returning from the war, he began working for the City of Fort Wayne Water Works. He eventually went into selling plumbing and heating supplies at Sears, and other companies before he settled with Central Supply Company where he retired with over 27 years in sales.

Tom never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a hand or advice to anyone with a project! He shared many stories with friends and neighbors about the history around the lake, and his other adventures over his 95 years of living.

Several times over the last month he would tell people how he had 75 years more than he should have regarding Korea, that he has a good life, and had great kids and family, which meant the world to him.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; brother, Michael; infant twin sister, Jacqueline; father, Clifton Tomkinson and mother, Ruth Wendell Morris.

His legacy continues with his children, Terri Bock and Eric Tomkinson; grandchildren, Matthew (Vanessa) Bock, Erin Early, Carol Tomkinson, and Amy (Mick) Hawkins, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by siblings, Ted (Darlene) Tomkinson, Jane (Gary) McChessney, and Jan (Ken) Brookhart.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Foster Park, located at 6301 Fairfield Ave, Fort Wayne, IN, 46807. The funeral service will follow at the same location, beginning at 11:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8516, or to Humane Fort Wayne, 901 Leesburg Rd., Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46808.