Gerald Bunker Tompkins

Gerald Bunker Tompkins was born in Downey, California January 17, 1924. He attended Downey High School where he met and married his childhood sweetheart, Bettie Norman. He promised to marry her if he got a leave from the Army Air Corp aviation training before he was sent out of state. He got his leave and they were married March 14, 1945. Gerald and Bettie raised their son and four daughters in Downey. Gerald worked for North American Rockwell (now Boeing) in Downey as an engineer and was involved with the Apollo space project.

Gerald and Bettie enjoyed in their retirement years traveling across the country, taking cruises and visiting family. Bettie passed on May 5, 2013. Gerald is survived by his son Hal and daughter-in-law Sandy, daughter Shirley and son-in law Russ, daughter Jerri and son-in law Bob, daughter Terri, daughter Beth and son-in law Steve, ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family ask that a charitable donation be made to Little House on the Praire. Payable to Amistad United Methodist Church with memo noted LHOP. Address is 4383 Narvisa Hwy, Narvisa, NM 88430.

There will be a short visitation at Miller Mies Downey Mortuary 10229 Paramount Blvd. on Friday, April 24th from 9:30am to 10:00am followed by the burial at Downey Cemetery at 10:30am.

The Memorial Service will be held at Miller Mies Downey Mortuary on Saturday, April 25th at 11:00am.