James Lane Tompkins

James Lane Tompkins, 69, passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021. He was the son of the Late Clarence and Bernice Tompkins. He was also preceeded in death by a brother, Evan Marcus Tompkins, and wife Joan Christine (Nelson) Tompkins. Jim, a New York City boy by birth but a bit country by nature, began his working life - and obtained his first driver’s license - to drive a bigrig for North American Van Lines. After the shine of cross country driving wore off, and to spend time with his young family, he gravitated back to his first love, working in radio and then television engineering. As that industry changed, he moved into computer tech support which he retired from several years ago. Growing up, Jim and his family, were active members of the historic Riverside Church in New York City. He first learned the craft of radio technology at Riverside’s radio station, WRVR-FM, which operated from 1961- 1976, documenting some of the most significant events during that turbulent period. Much of the content has been digitized and available to the public at He developed his love of church music there. He returned to active church life in the mid-2000s, singing in the choirs and/or serving in leadership at Newell Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, Central United Methodist Church and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Monroe. He also took great joy in participating in the Union County Symphony Choir and Central UMC’s Amazing Grace. A Memorial service will be held at Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, 909 Circle Dr, Monroe, NC 28112, Thursday, July 22nd, 2pm. Visitation will be held in St. Luke’s Fellowship Hall at 1pm. James is survived by his loving wife Lisa Elliott Selby Tompkins; son Michael Alexander Tompkins and wife (Ryan); two stepdaughters Stephanie Elizabeth Selby (Slade), Sara Selby Schueneman (Matt); two stepsons David Elliott Selby, James Jacob Selby (Sunshine); seven grandchildren; sister Mary Ann Tompkins Mummey; brother Rollin Putnam Tompkins (Kathryn) and loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org or St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made to www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Tompkins Family.