MICHAEL JOSEPH TOMPKINS, age 53 of Smyrna, died Thursday July 14, 2011. Mike was a devoted husband and father whose life revolved around the three loves of his life: his wife Sandra and sons Michael and Daniel Tompkins. He was a writer by trade and an avid collector by avocation. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Michael Tompkins began his writing career with the universitys Sidelines publication. He later wrote for the Morning Press and the Elk Valley Times. Most recently, Mike was employed as a technical writer at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Mike is also survived by his mother, Marilyn A. Tompkins; sisters Gay Kaminski and Sherrie Brammall; brothers Douglass Tompkins, Jack Tompkins and Todd Tompkins. He was beloved Uncle Mike to numerous nieces and nephews from Virginia to Texas. He was preceded in death by his father Jack W. Tompkins and brother David Tompkins. Visitation is at 9:00 a.m. Saturday with a funeral mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lukes Catholic Church in Smyrna. Father Richard Gagnon will officiate. Burial will follow in the Maple View Cemetery. Woodfin Chapel Smyrna is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent via www.woodfinchapel.com (615) 459-3254. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.