Born the youngest of nine children on December 27, 1937 in Spencer Brook Township, MN to Arthur and Stella Tompkins; passed away Friday, February 3, 2023, at the of age 85. Tinner resided in Brooklyn Park with his wife Bernie until she passed away in 2021. Tinner remained his home until his passing, a total of 63 years.
Tinner is preceded in death by his wife Bernie, their infant daughter, Tommie Jo; his mother and father, Arthur and Stella Tompkins; brothers Frances, Ray, Charles, and Harold; sisters, Laura, Leone and Jeanette.
Tinner is survived by daughters, Vicki Gessell, Kelli Tompkins and Traci (Amara) Dukuly; Grandchildren, Rachel Gessell, Michelle (Mario) Smith, Michael (Brielle) Davis, Jamie Gessell, Keenan (Ebony Winder) Davis, Demarie Davis, Trae (Cierra) Davis; Great grandchildren, Donavin, Davian, Gabriel, Anna, Xavier, Aiden, Kemaury, Janiya, Linden, Katalina, Elleanna, Jeremiah, Amelia, Kemiyah, Nakai, Zaria, Kaden, Rhyla, Emmanuel and Kason; many nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and acquaintances.
Tinner spent his lifetime in sales, mostly automobile, and a homemaker. Throughout his life he loved tinkering around in the garage, all kinds of cars (especially old timers), snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, enjoying time at the ‘lake’, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed watching wheel of fortune, westerns, going to the casino, and sitting outside with garage door open with Bernie, all while holding a cup of coffee in his hand.
We love you, Tinner, dad, grandpa, great grandpa more than we can express in words and we’ll miss you greatly every day. You were a great inspiration to all of us and we could not have asked God for a more loving, caring person to be the rock of this family. This is not ‘goodbye’, it’s ‘see you later’!
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.. ~John 16:22
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40:31
Celebration of life will be Friday, February 17, 2023 from 5-7PM at the Gearhart Anoka Funeral Home located at 522 E. River Road, Anoka, MN 55303. Graveside Service will be held at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GearhartAnokaChapel.com for the Tompkins family.
