Michael Eugene Tompkins of Midlothian, VA entered into his eternal rest on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Johnston Willis Hospital in Richmond, VA.  Michael was born on February 4, 1950, in Philadelphia, PA to the late LTC Garland N. and Ruth Elizabeth Cary Tompkins.

His parents moved the family to Petersburg from Germany in the early 1960's. He attended Peabody High School where he demonstrated his leadership qualities.  He was Senior Class President, a member of the National Honor Society and the National Thespian Society. He also played on the football team.

After graduating from Peabody High School, he attended Hampton Institute majoring in Architecture.  At Hampton, he became a member of Gamma Epsilon Theta and worked diligently to serve his community.  He left Hampton and moved to Washington, DC and continued his education at Howard University.  In 1978, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Governmental Administration from Christopher Newport College in Newport News, VA.

Ultimately, he wanted to excel in his career field and furthered his education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA earning a Master of Planning degree and a Master of Public Administration degree in 1982 and 1983.  In 1985, Michael was chosen as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America.

His extensive zoning and planning experience in local government led him to work in many jurisdictions around the country: James City County, Planner; Albemarle County Zoning Director; Austin, Texas, Planning Manager; Prince William County, Deputy Planning Director; Town of Leesburg, Planning, Zoning and Development Director; Laurel, Maryland, Director of Development Management; and Westmoreland County, Planning and Zoning Director.  His last position for 21 years was Assistant Director of Planning for Chesterfield County.

While working in Chesterfield County Government, Michael was chosen to be one of the twelve nationwide participants in the Executive Leadership Institute of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

His favorite passion was cooking and he enjoyed seeing others enjoy his food.  He was an avid sports fan and loved tennis, football, basketball, baseball and reading science fiction.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, LTC Garland N. Tompkins and Ruth Elizabeth Cary Tompkins, as well as a brother, Stephen N. Tompkins.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories, his wife, Mary of 53 years, two daughters, Alexis Tompkins, Crystal Nock (Sebrina), of Midlothian, VA; one sister, Deborah Tompkins Johnson (Reuben) of Woodbridge, VA; one brother, Stanley Tompkins (Jamita), of Providence Village, TX; one granddaughter, Reigna McKenzie of Midlothian, VA; three nephews, Nathaniel Tompkins of Providence Village, TX, Edward Jones of Washington DC, and Kenyon Royster of Glen Burnie, MD; one niece, Kyndal Tompkins of Providence Village, TX; one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Whitlock of Glen Burnie, MD; and one brother-in-law, Phillip Jones of Charlottesville, VA.

He is also survived by an uncle, Ivory Cary (Barbara) of Petersburg, VA; an aunt, Elnora Tompkins (Joe-deceased) of Westmoreland County and her daughter Beryl Tompkins Smith; and a devoted cousin, Shirley Powell (Calvin-deceased) of Washington, DC. He also leaves to remembrance a host of other loving cousins, relatives and friends.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday April 22, 2026, at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Herbert Holly II, Senior Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

At the request of the family, there will be no public viewing and the service will not be livestreamed.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.