Biography
Ernest E. Tomlins (Ernie), age 64, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 24, 2007 after courageously fighting a short battle with brain cancer. He lived in Cottonwood, CA at the time of his death and was formerly from Antioch, CA.
He was born February 28, 1943 in Toronto, Canada to George and Dorothy Tomlins. Ernie immigrated with his family to the United States in 1955 to Oakland, California. His family moved from Oakland to Pinole and finally to Concord where he graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1962. He served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. After serving this country as a registered alien, he became a Naturalized United States Citizen in 1976.
He married Diane Kitchen, formerly of Marlette, Michigan, on October 26, 1974 in Reno, Nevada.
He worked 26 years at Bay Standard, Inc. in Brentwood, California and the last 15 years before retirement at Dow Chemical in Pittsburg, CA. He retired in July, 2003 and he and Diane moved to a new home in Cottonwood (Lake California), CA where he thoroughly enjoyed his retirement working in his woodshop built especially for his retirement years. He was a woodcraftsman and builder of fine furniture. He purchased a wood lathe in retirement and "turned" beautiful bowls, peppermills and pens. His other hobbies included amateur prospecting and classic cars. He was a member of the Shasta Woodworkers Club, Shasta Arts Council and Tehama Arts Council.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Diane, his son and his wife, Timothy (Karen) Tomlins, two grandchildren, Amiel and Mayren. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Tomlins, a sister, June (Larry) Adams, brother-in-law, Dr. Albert (Linda) Kitchen, sister-in-law, Renee (Garland) McPeters, nephews, Jason (Jennifer) Kitchen and Albert Kitchen. He is also survived by nieces Cindy Rutledge, Jill (Don) Thomas, Kelly Fischer, Alika McPeters, Elizabeth McPeters and Emily McPeters. Surviving him also are his beloved pooches, Peaches Marie (Princess), Maria Louise (Baby Girl), Clifford George and Snowflake, his black cat.
Predeceasing him were his father, George Tomlins; brother, Albert (Buddy) Tomlins; nephew, Michael Adams; sister-in-law, Anita Fischer; parents-in-law, Howard and Wanda Kitchen.
He was cremated and will be interred in the Germania Cemetery, Marlette, MI in a Veteran's Graveside Service on July 18, 2007.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Woman's Club of Antioch, 509 G Street, Antioch, CA at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Tim Hanford, clergy, with a luncheon and social hour to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ernie may be made to St. Elizabeth Hospice, 1425 Vista Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080; the SPCA International(Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), 2121 K Street, N.W. ,Suite 650, Washington, D.C. 20037; or a favorite charity of your choice.
Cremation Arrangements were by Lawncrest Chapel, Redding, CA.
He was born February 28, 1943 in Toronto, Canada to George and Dorothy Tomlins. Ernie immigrated with his family to the United States in 1955 to Oakland, California. His family moved from Oakland to Pinole and finally to Concord where he graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1962. He served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. After serving this country as a registered alien, he became a Naturalized United States Citizen in 1976.
He married Diane Kitchen, formerly of Marlette, Michigan, on October 26, 1974 in Reno, Nevada.
He worked 26 years at Bay Standard, Inc. in Brentwood, California and the last 15 years before retirement at Dow Chemical in Pittsburg, CA. He retired in July, 2003 and he and Diane moved to a new home in Cottonwood (Lake California), CA where he thoroughly enjoyed his retirement working in his woodshop built especially for his retirement years. He was a woodcraftsman and builder of fine furniture. He purchased a wood lathe in retirement and "turned" beautiful bowls, peppermills and pens. His other hobbies included amateur prospecting and classic cars. He was a member of the Shasta Woodworkers Club, Shasta Arts Council and Tehama Arts Council.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Diane, his son and his wife, Timothy (Karen) Tomlins, two grandchildren, Amiel and Mayren. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Tomlins, a sister, June (Larry) Adams, brother-in-law, Dr. Albert (Linda) Kitchen, sister-in-law, Renee (Garland) McPeters, nephews, Jason (Jennifer) Kitchen and Albert Kitchen. He is also survived by nieces Cindy Rutledge, Jill (Don) Thomas, Kelly Fischer, Alika McPeters, Elizabeth McPeters and Emily McPeters. Surviving him also are his beloved pooches, Peaches Marie (Princess), Maria Louise (Baby Girl), Clifford George and Snowflake, his black cat.
Predeceasing him were his father, George Tomlins; brother, Albert (Buddy) Tomlins; nephew, Michael Adams; sister-in-law, Anita Fischer; parents-in-law, Howard and Wanda Kitchen.
He was cremated and will be interred in the Germania Cemetery, Marlette, MI in a Veteran's Graveside Service on July 18, 2007.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Woman's Club of Antioch, 509 G Street, Antioch, CA at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Tim Hanford, clergy, with a luncheon and social hour to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ernie may be made to St. Elizabeth Hospice, 1425 Vista Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080; the SPCA International(Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), 2121 K Street, N.W. ,Suite 650, Washington, D.C. 20037; or a favorite charity of your choice.
Cremation Arrangements were by Lawncrest Chapel, Redding, CA.