Football All-American Lumpkin Passes Away
10/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
MALIBU, Calif. -- Ray Lumpkin, who earned Associated Press Little All-American honorable mention honors in 1960 as part of the Pepperdine University football team, passed away on Tuesday (Oct. 6) at the age of 67.
He was also named to the Associated Press Little All-Coast second team in 1960 despite the Waves' 1-9 record. Football was dropped at Pepperdine after the 1961 season.
Following is his obituary:
"Warner Ray Lumpkin, 67, of Hot Springs (Ark.), passed on to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. Ray was born to the late Ozell and Louise Lumpkin on December 15, 1941. He graduated from Fort Smith Northside High School in 1960.
"He received a football scholarship to George Pepperdine University where he played until injury brought him back to Arkansas. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1965 with a BS in Physical Education and was awarded a Master of Science in Education from Louisiana Tech University in 1970.
"Ray was a coach and principal in Perryville, El Dorado, Clarksville and Hot Springs (Lakeside and Lake Hamilton) over the years. He finished his career in education of 37 years in 2002 as Director of the Arkansas Principal's Assessment Center at the Arkansas Department of Education. He loved his career and the interaction with young people that it brought. He was a fair man who always stood up for what was right no matter the consequences or repercussions- attributes that served him well throughout his tenure in education.
"He found golf as a second career and worked just as hard on the course daily at Hot Springs Country Club to be the best he could be. Ray was a member of the Arkansas Secondary School Principal's Association, Arkansas School Administrator's Association, Arkansas Education Association, Hot Springs Baptist Church and other various civic organizations over the years. Ray was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend who always made time to listen and do anything he could to help someone in need.
"Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 43 years, Brenda and his loving daughter Ashley and special grandson Walker. Other survivors include his brother and wife, David and Judy Lumpkin of North Little Rock; sister, Twanet Secrest of Alma and brother-in-law Jim Walker of Conway. Nephews and nieces include: Jason and Brandon Lumpkin, Ken and Mike Secrest, Barbara Pacheo, Caleb and Caperton Walker and a host of other beloved friends and family.
"Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, October 9, 2009, at Hot Springs Baptist Church, with Rev. Manley Beasley, Jr. officiating. Interment will be held in Hollywood Cemetery, under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday evening, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Ron Fair, Bill Lewallen, Floyd Marshall, Truett Love, Danny Frazier, Randy Muse, Dr. James Vasilos, Dr. Lloyd Crossley, William James and Jerry Parker. Honorary pallbearers will be the Fort Smith Northside Football Team 1958-60, Genesis Cancer Center, Arkansas Home Health, Arkansas Hospice, Hot Springs Baptist Sunday School Class and all of his beloved Golf Buddies. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ray Lumpkin Memorial Outstanding Christian Athlete Scholarship, through the Kamo's Kids Fund at any Summit Bank. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com."
