Mark Tompkins, son of David and Donna Tompkins of Wautoma, WI, passed away on August 23, 2026, and is survived by one sister (Dawn), five brothers (Craig, Dean, Dale, Mike, Chris, five sisters-in-law (Lynn, Beth, Lori, Ruth, and Mary (deceased)), nieces (Audrey, Briana, Annelise, Caitlyn, Hannah, Olivia, Chloe), nephews (Alan, Casey, Seth, Dan), Aunts (Joan, Nancy, Sandie), Uncle Jerry, and numerous cousins. Mark is remembered as a gifted podiatrist, an award-winning athlete, an avid hunter, and decent cook. He also took pride in volunteering for worthy causes.
Mark grew up in a full house. Starting with the Tompkins family apartment near Truax Field (Madison, WI) in the late 1950s, the children learned early how to share space, noise, and whatever was on the table. That closeness carried onto Acewood Boulevard, where Mark played on the neighborhood baseball and football teams.
In his youth, basketball became his sport. At Santa Maria del Popolo grade school (Mundelein, IL), he became a standout. At Roosevelt High School (San Antonio, TX), he achieved All-City honors in his senior year. This success led to an athletic scholarship to Kilgore Junior College (Kilgore, TX).
Mark used basketball to open a door, then walked through it toward the professional study of medicine. He finished his pre-med degree at Texas A&M University and matriculated to the California College of Podiatric Medicine (San Francisco, CA) earning his degree and maintaining board certifications for decades in podiatry. He completed his podiatry internship in Pittsburgh, PA, and later set up his own practice in San Antonio, TX. Among hundreds of patients some included former high school classmates and coaches – people who had known him on the basketball court now trusted him with their feet.
Away from the office he was an avid hunter, especially of Texas turkey. Mark owned a ranch in Boerne, TX, with cattle named Harry and Marcus. The ranch became a gathering place, visited by his father, sister, brothers, his nephew Alan, and many friends. Here, Mark developed a real passion for Texas barbecue and liked nothing better than feeding friends and family. Weekend gatherings – the pit, the dining table, and the noise of family – were among the things he did best.
Mark also kept teaching the game of basketball, weaving it into youth-development organizations like Slam Dunk for Life (SDFL) – https://slamdunkforlife.netlify.app/. Generous with his time, Mark helped get SDFL formed, as it taught character, education, hard work, goal-setting beyond athletic training, connecting young inner-city athletes with positive mentors including those from the San Antonio Spurs organization.
Mark was very involved with the St. Paul AA community in Minnesota. Mark was blessed with a loving and supportive community that meant so much to him, especially Vinny, Paulie, Kevin, Graham, Murphy, Neil, Matt, John C., Mary, Guy, Gwen, and Chaz. They said how much they loved Mark, and that he helped many people, with Mark’s signature phrase – “Blessing and Peace to all.”
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 9:30a m until 10:30 a.m. at the Leikness Funeral Home (Wautoma, WI). Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Wautoma. In lieu of flowers and such, the family suggests that donations be made to a charity of your choosing in remembrance of Mark.
