Wylie Edward Tompkins

Wylie was born to J.D. Tompkins and Bonnie Lee Tompkins on July 22, 1927, in Chandler, Texas. He graduated from Lee High School in Baytown in 1945, then faithfully served his country in the United States Navy. Wylie returned home to Baytown and attended Lee College. Wylie married Betty Lee Gunn of Baytown on September 1, 1948, at Cedar Bayou Methodist Church of Baytown. They transferred together to the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. Their first child, Wylden "Reed" Tompkins, was born on January 24, 1951. Soon after, Wylie and his family moved back to the Baytown area, where Wylie took a job as a multi-functional maintenance worker and carpenter at the Ethyl Corporation petroleum plant in Pasadena, Texas in 1952. Wylie also resumed his college education and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Houston.

A few years later, Wylie's daughter Lisa Colleen Tompkins was born in Baytown.

About 15 years later, Wylie earned an associate degree in Instrumentation from San Jacinto College. He was then promoted to Instrument Technician at the Ethyl Corporation plant. A few years later, Wylie was promoted again to the position of Instrument and Safety Instructor at the Ethyl Corporation plant, where he gladly remained until he retired.

Wylie is survived by his wife Betty Gunn Tompkins of Baytown. He also leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Lisa Colleen Scott, his son-in-law Royce Scott, his grandchildren Josh Tompkins and Abbie Tompkins and Nathan Scott, and his younger brothers Kit Tompkins, Jerry Tompkins, and Raymond Tompkins and their families.

Wylie was preceded in death by his parents J.D. and Bonnie Tompkins, his son Reed Tompkins, and his daughter in law Robin Tompkins.

Wylie was an avid reader, who loved to read fiction from best-selling authors such as Tom Clancy and John Grisham. He was also quite a carpenter and handyman at home and built his entire home except for laying the brick. He was also a member of Cedar Bayou Grace Methodist Church in Baytown, where he enjoyed their traditional worship services and eating breakfast with their Methodist Men's Group.

A graveside service is scheduled for Friday afternoon, January 3rd, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Cedar Bayou Masonic Cemetery in Baytown, Texas, which is located near Cedar Bayou Grace Methodist Church. Pastor Bryan Harkness of Cedar Bayou Grace Methodist Church will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to Cedar Bayou Grace Methodist Church, 3700 N. Highway 146, Baytown Texas 77520.