Travis Lee Tompkins age 78 in Noble, passed away Monday December 2, 2013 at his
home after a four year battle with cancer. He was born April 28, 1935 in
Washington, OK. He was the 2nd child of five children born to Oran Louis
Tompkins and Ola Mae (Stanley) Tompkins. Travis grew up a country boy attending
the Ladd School and later Purcell Schools. At the age of 20 he enlisted into the
U.S. Army and served two years at Ft. Sill before being honorably discharged. He
married Betty Branson on May 1, 1959 in Tecumseh, OK and this past year
celebrated 54 years of marriage. Travis was a hard worker and good provider for
his family. He learned his hard work ethic as a young boy working in the cotton
fields. After he was married his first job was working in the oil fields of
Wyoming. They soon returned to Oklahoma City and he began working for Meads
Bakery where he worked for six years. He then went to work for Frito Lay and he
worked there for 12 years. In 1981 Travis and a partner started their own
business called Central Pump, selling and servicing commercial water pumps.
Travis and Betty lived in OKC for 6 years, Moore for 15 years, Newalla for 10
years and later moved to Noble in 1991. Travis loved being in the outdoors and
working with his hands. For 30 years his main hobby was team roping. After he
retired in 1994, he became an avid fisherman. He especially enjoyed spending
time at his cabin at Lake Texhoma catching catfish and stripers. Travis loved
his family and especially loved family get-togethers. He was known as a jack of
all trades. He could make, build or weld anything. After he retired he became a
regular coffee drinker at Poor Boys in Noble and at Val’s restaurant in Purcell.
He was preceded in death by: Parents: Oran and Ola Mae Tompkins, Two
brothers-in-law: Troy Davey and Horace Ray Collins,
He is survived by: Wife: Betty of the home, Children: Laquita Thornley
and husband James of Atoka, Beth Long and husband of Ketchum, Terri Alderman
of Moore, Tony Tompkins and wife Sharon of Newcastle, Brother: Oran “Curly”
Tompkins and wife Lilly of Lexington, 3 sisters: Onetia Collins of Purcell,
LaJuana Catlege and husband Jim of OKC, Linda Davey of Lexington, 7
grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a
host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 10:00 am
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell.
Interment will be at Lexington Cemetery.
