Joseph "Joey" Franklin Tompkins

Joseph "Joey" Franklin Tompkins, 42, of Slaughters passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at his home. He was born in Winter Park, Florida, on July 2, 1974. Joey grew up a freckled, happy, blond-haired boy in Winter Springs, Florida. He was the youngest of three children which included a lively brother, Willis, and a protective sister, Carol Ann. Joey and his mother JoAnn enjoyed an especially close relationship. Throughout his life, he was a dutiful son who loved his parents and extended family. As a teenager he loved skateboarding, playing his guitar and making everyone around him smile. Joey enjoyed crafting things with his hands throughout his life and was an accomplished builder like his father. As an adolescent, he designed and built huge skateboard ramps that impressed his father and attracted all the neighborhood kids to the family's backyard. Joey and his mother were welcoming to all, as the family home became a popular teenage hang-out spot. After high school, Joey built several houses with his father in Florida before his father retired to his childhood home in Kentucky. Joey came from Florida to Slaughters to help build the last house they completed together; the family's current home in Slaughters. While building the house, he first saw Valarie walking past to visit her mother who lived nearby. His interest was piqued and shortly after meeting, Joey and Valarie fell in love, settled down in the new home and had a baby boy, Joey Jr. He was a doting father who loved to make his son laugh. As Joey Jr. grew, the father and son enjoyed building toys, reading books and laughing together. Joey's brother Willis later joined Joey and their father in Kentucky. Together the brothers raised their families in Slaughters; Joey in the home built with their father and Willis in the home next door. Their children played and grew in the same area their father had roamed with his brothers, sisters and extended family so many years before. Joey's nieces and nephews lovingly referred to him as "Uncle." His mother JoAnn frequently visited the brothers for extended stays and they remained close. Throughout his life Joey enjoyed music, from playing guitar like his idol Randy Rhoads as a teenager to writing and playing songs with Valarie for them to enjoy as adults. He will be remembered by all his friends and family as a forgiving and gentle person who loved to make people laugh and enjoy life. He would do anything possible to help someone in need. Joey will be remembered and missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his father, Carroll Edward Tompkins. He is survived by Valarie Yates-Tompkins, his wife of 12 years; a son; Joseph Franklin Tompkins Jr. at home; his mother, JoAnn Terrie of Saint Petersburg, Florida; sister Carol Ann Tompkins Poulson and husband John of Saint Petersburg; brother Willis Edward Tompkins and wife Christina of Slaughters; nieces Kristina Tomlinson of Madisonville and Ashley Tompkins of Slaughters; nephews Ryan Tompkins of Slaughters and Cody Tompkins, James Poulson and Jack Poulson, all of Saint Petersburg; and three great nieces and two great-nephews. Services will be 7 p.m. Monday at Tomblinson Funeral Home Sebree Chapel. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be private.