Edward "Don" Tompkins, 87 formerly of King City, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021 in Sacramento at UC Davis Medical Center with his family by his side.  Don was born March 30, 1934 in Paso Robles, CA.  He lived in Guinda, Calif with his wife of 61 years, Merrie Tompkins.

Don graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo June 1959 with an Animal Science Degree and Alpha Zeta Scholar (Life-member). He served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Food Inspection Service, Presidio of San Francisco August 1955 – July 1957 and June 1959 – August 1959.  He worked as Fieldman (Sales & Service) Yolo Farm Supply Co. March 1960 – June 1963.  He was employed by Glenn Co. Department of Agriculture August 1964 – December 1970 as an Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspector III.  Employed by Lake County Department of Agriculture as the Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Deputy Sealer of Weights & Measures January 2, 1971 – August 3, 1978.  Appointed Agricultural Commission/Sealer of Weights & Measures/Animal Control Director August 3, 1978 and retired October 3, 1989.  He moved to Capay Valley, in Yolo County to manage/operate the TS Ranches, consisting of the Guinda, King City, Willows, California and Lenz, Oregon ranches until the H. Willis Tompkins Estate and Mabel L. Tompkins Estates were distributed to the siblings in January of 1991.  Has had his own Cattle operation (Cow-Calf) since 1960 on various leased lands in California and Oregon.  He married to Merrie McCracken Tompkins of Willows, California on October 30, 1960.

Organizations and Boards served: California Cattlemens Association (State Board Director Yolo County), Yolo County Cattlemens and Wool Growers, Yolo County Farm Bureau Board (Capay Valley Director), Western Yolo Grange No. 421, Capay Valley Grown member, Capay valley Watershed Stakeholders Group (past Chairman), Capay Valley General Plan Advisory Committee (Co-Chairman), California Gelbvieh Association, Western Beefmasters Breeders Association, Lifetime Member California Agricultural Commissioners/Sealers of Weights & Measures Association.

Don is preceded in death by his son Michael Lawrence Tompkins March 16, 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Merrie; children, Marilyn Cyphers, Mark Tompkins; grandchildren, Melissa, Michelle, Megan, Christopher, Krysta, Kyndra; great grandchildren, Landon, Lisa Jade O., Makenzie, Ryan, Olivia and Brooklyn.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:30 on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 in the King City District Cemetery, 1010 Broadway, King City.

Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .

***Photo to be included***