Mr. Tompkins has been been battling poor health for months now. I've debated posting and finally decided to since its lingered for so long (and his age), he also turns 93 this week. Mr. Tompkins was a two sport athlete on the 40, he was a starter in both baseball and football, starting 3rd baseman and part of the first baseball team to win back to back NCAA national titles, was also starting QB for the longhorns 1950 conference champions. Was also a referee in the NFL for 20 years.
Thanks for posting this. Will be praying for him and his. You don't have to answer... I'm curious to know how you know him.
Thank you for the prayers. I’m sorry I can’t answer, any answer I give would likely give away too much.
Update: I'm sorry to say that Mr. Tompkins has passed away this evening. I enjoyed talking to him more than he will know, hearing about Billy Disch and Blair Cherry and Clarke field from that era was about as good as it gets for me. He will be missed immensely. RIP.
WOW! I wish you had been able to share some of his stories. Being on The Forty and playing before or after Bobby Layne, Tom Landry, et al. Unfortunately another of the truly great Longhorns we have lost. Thanks for sharing
Yes, I know. I wish I would have recorded him telling all his stories. I enjoyed them more than anything. He had a sharp mind right up till just a few months ago.
Sorry for the loss to his family, to you as a good friend and to the Longhorn Nation. Later when appropriate and if you feel like it, please share any stories of him, or other UT greats he talked to you about. Many of us would enjoy and appreciate that. Maybe you should connect with Billy Dale about Tompkins!?
