James W. Tompkins, Jr., retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, 62, of Kent, Washington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at his sister’s residence in Cohoes, embraced by his loving family and beloved canine companion Delbert. Born in Cohoes, Jimmy was the beloved son of Wally (Frank) Genier of Latham and the late James W. Tompkins, Sr. and the loving husband of Lydia B. Y. Katuuk of Jakarta, Indonesia. James graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in 1976 with a BS in Political Science. As a cadet he was a member of the Regimental Band achieving the rank of Cadet Corporal and Sergeant in his sophomore and junior years. As a senior he served on the Second Battalion Staff and served as a member of the Cadet Religious Council and President of the Greek Orthodox Group. He had a distinguished career in the Army and was a Commissioned Officer in the US Army Infantry from 1976-1993 serving in various locations and capacities, including the 2d Infantry Division in Korea and was selected to serve in the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Program, receiving a Masters in Political Science/International Relations from North Carolina State in 1986. From 1993-1996 he was a Politico Military Advisor, Southeast Asia to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During 1996-2000 he was stationed in Jakarta, Indonesia where his duties included serving as the principal advisor to the U.S. Ambassador, the Commander in Chief of the Pacific and the U.S Defense Department. Upon retirement from the military in 2000 he received the Legion of Merit Award for his exceptional meritorious service. He entered the private sector working as a Senior Technical Expert- Security for BP Indonesia. He was a Politico Military Specialist/Advisor to the Afghan National Security Advisor with Military Professional Resources Inc, in Kabul, Afghanistan. His most recent employment was with PT Freeport Indonesia where he worked as Manager Security Support Operations, Consultant and finally as Senior Security Executive/Industrial Security Expert. A special thanks to his supervisor and dear friend, William Regell and all his friends and family in his second home in Indonesia. In addition to his cherished wife Lydia, he is survived by his beloved daughter Catherine Killian of Marietta, Georgia; mother Wally (Frank) Genier of Latham, mother in law Jolanda Wonua of Jakarta, Indonesia: : sisters Joyce (Gregory) Stroyen, Monika Jobes, Lisa (Fanio) Osorio; brother Dan Tompkins; several cousins and nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ltd 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes Tuesday morning February 21, 2017 at 9:00. A Funeral Service will be celebrated at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 909 River Street, Troy, NY, 12180, Tuesday morning at 9:30. Interment with Full Military Honors will be at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home Monday, February 20, 2017 from 4-7 pm with a Trisagion Service at 6:30 pm. Those wishing to remember Jimmy in a special way may make contributions in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project at PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. www.fitzgeraldfuneralhomeltd.com
Posted in: The Record
Posted on: 2017-02-20
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/troyrecord/obituary.aspx?n=james-tompkins&pid=184180964&fhid=27336#sthash.H9hJCWl8.dpuf