Peter Tompkins, 60, of Durham, NC, died at home on Saturday, November 15, 2025 surrounded by his family, after a two year journey with ALS. Peter was born December 17th, 1964 in Williamsport, PA to Anne and Mikel Tompkins. The youngest of five children, Peter grew up in Charlotte, NC and graduated from West Charlotte High School and UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in Journalism. Chapel Hill was a special place for Peter. He met his wife Janene there on Valentine's Day in 1990, and spent much of his career working for the News & Observer in Chapel Hill, where he led the N&O's acquisitions of the Chapel Hill News and Village Advocate. Peter spent a total of 27 years at the N&O between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and cherished his time with colleagues at the newspaper.