FORT MEYERS, Fla. - God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be; so He put His loving arms around you and whispered "Come with me." A faithful heart stopped beating; you passed the final test - so now you are in heaven and have found the perfect rest. Loren Albert Tompkins passed away Dec. 14, 2010 in Fort Myers, Fla. He was born Aug. 4, 1934 in Portsmouth. He was the eldest son of the late Lawrence Nathaniel and Elizabeth Stern Tompkins. He was a 1952 graduate of Cradock High School. While in high school, he was an active member of the Order of Demolay and served as master counselor. He attended Richmond Polytech Institute (RPI) in Richmond, Va., and attended evening classes at the Norfolk division of the College of William & Mary, now known as Old Dominion University. He held various district and regional marketing positions with Atlantic Refining Company of Philadelphia, and Amoco Oil Company (Standard Oil Of Indiana). He was appointed and served on the National Defense Executive Reserve for the Department of Energy for 25 years in Washington, D.C. He was chairman of the board of McLeod Oil Company Inc., and it's affiliates of Mebane, N.C. He was active and served as president of the North Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association. He served as chairman of the board of the First South Bank, now known as Centura Bank of Mebane; later as board of directors of Centura Bank in Burlington, N.C. He served as the financial director for the Alamance Regional Hospital and Alamance Regional Medical Center - long-term care service of Burlington. A member of Mebane United Methodist Church of Mebane and Master Mason in good standing of Ruth Lodge No. 89 AF&AM of Norfolk. Loved ones left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mavis Tompkins of Fort Myers; daughter, Denise Tompkins of Hendersonville, N.C.; son, Michael Tompkins and his wife Donna of Leasburg, N.C.; granddaughter, Kimberly Tompkins and grandson, Michael Tompkins Jr., both of Leasburg; brothers, Dr. Stephen Tompkins and wife Linda of Virginia and Dr. Stanley Tompkins and wife Patricia of Virginia; and four nieces. A graveside service was held Friday, Jan. 7, at the Cudworth Cemetery in Wanchese, N.C., officiated by the Rev. Jerome Smith. In lieu of flowers and/or contributions, Loren's only request was that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on January 9, 2011