SMSgt Peter Davitt Tompkins

Former Traverse City, Michigan resident, Peter (Pete) D. Tompkins died in Amarillo, Texas on May 25, 2026, Memorial Day. Visitation will be Monday, June 1, 2026, from 5-7 pm at Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Directors 5400 Bell St. A funeral service will be Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10 am at South Georgia Baptist Church with Chaplain Karen Wells officiating. Burial will be at Ft. Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:00 am with military honors.

Born December 1, 1934, in Saginaw, Michigan, he was the son of J. Forbes and Rosemary (Davitt) Tompkins. On June 14, 1953, he married his beloved wife of over 72 years, Patricia Hill of Traverse City, who preceded him in death on March 3, 2026. Pete’s family moved to Traverse City shortly after World War II and opened a Western Auto Store. He graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1953.

Peter enlisted in the US Air Force in August of 1953 and honorably served his country for 21 years, retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1974. Following technical school, he was assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) organization in a Seismic Operational Location and then entered training for the Airborne Data Collection System accumulating approximately 4200 hours of flight time. His military assignments include seven bases in the U.S. including Alaska, plus two tours of duty at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan.

Following his military retirement in 1974, he attended the University of New Mexico and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (with distinction) in 1979. He then worked as a Contract Accountant for the University of New Mexico and as a Cost Accountant for DynCorp until retirement.

Pete is preceded in death by his wife, Pat Tompkins; son, John Tompkins; his father, James “Forbes” Tompkins; brother and sister -in- law, James “Jim” and Ida Tompkins; and nephew, George Galic.

Pete is survived by daughter-in-law Barbara Tompkins of Bangor, PA and her and John’s children Cory (Brie), Tyler (Bernadette), and Jonathan (April). Son David Tompkins and wife Sherri of Abeline and their children Ashlyn (Tyler) Harned, Bay Tompkins, Will (Samantha) Clowe, and Andrew (Prysilla) Clowe. A niece, Mary Ann Galic, and great-grandchildren Aria, Dominic, Alexa, Hailey, Brielle, Olivia, Cole, Christopher, Hayden, Joshua, and Emily.

The family wishes to thank staff and friends at South Georgia Baptist Church, The Craig, The Legacy, and at Ussery-Roan for their loving care, support, and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758541, Topeka, KS, 66675.