Roger Barton Tompkins, age 92, of Jacksonville, Florida, died peacefully late on the night of Christmas Eve, 2024, in Jacksonville in the care of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida with his wife, Carol, by his side.
Roger was born on December 17, 1932, in Normal, Illinois. He was the youngest of four children born to Arthur W. and Dortha Christopher Tompkins.
Roger attended the University of Illinois and received his Juris Doctor from there in 1956, after having married Elinor Bieneman in June of 1954. They were married for 40 years and had 3 children together before Elinor succumbed to cancer in 1994.
Roger used his abundant gifts of leadership in a 45 year career with the State Farm Insurance Companies, beginning as a claims adjustor and ending as Executive Vice President of State Farm Life Insurance Company.
Throughout their lives together, Roger and Elinor traveled the world, hosted many in their homes, and were involved in Wycliffe Bible Translation, both financially and "hands on".
In June of 1995, Roger married Carol Kelly Tompkins. Carol brought three children into their marriage as well as two grandchildren and at his death, they had been married for 29 plus years.
Throughout his life, Roger prioritized his relationship with the Lord above all things. He used his gifts of administration and leadership to teach Scripture to people of all faiths. He was the chairman of the Billy Graham Crusade at Angel Stadium in Orange County, California in 1985. He chose to enter the Roman Catholic Church on December 13, 2013, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He was involved in many ministries there.
Roger is survived by his wife, Carol Kelly Tompkins; six children: Paul (Karen) Tompkins, Katy ( Tom) Sappington, Laura (Rick) Alvord, Ken Kelly and Tim Hubick, Kathy (Tim) Modesitt, and Kim (Doug) Meade; eighteen grandchildren: Phil (Caroline) Tompkins, Chris (Marissa) Sappington, Joel (Tricia) Sappington, Amanda Sappington, Scott Alvord, Christie Alvord (Luke) Lipscomb, Jackie Modesitt, Taylor Modesitt, Gracie Modesitt, Ella Modesitt, Hudson Modesitt, Kaley Fannin, Patrick (Ashley) Fannin, Hunter Meade, Luke Meade, Nicholas Meade, Brian Meade, and Kristina Meade. His great-grandchildren include Elinor Mae Sappington, James Sappington, Finn Lipscomb, Georgia Lipscomb, and one on the way.
A visitation and rosary service for Roger will be held Friday, January 3, 2025, beginning at 6:30 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9800 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the church. A committal service will follow Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
Roger was greatly loved and impacted many. He will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please designate memorial donations to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, Holy Family Catholic Church, 9800 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or St. Paul Center for Biblical Studies, 1380 University Blvd., Steubenville, OH 43952.
