Thomas Lyell Rumph passed away Thursday, October 1, 2009, at his home in El Dorado. Born January 6, 1917, in Warren, AR, he lived to the age of 92, cared for by his family and caregivers. Visitation will be at Perry's Funeral Chapels, Saturday, October 3, from 5 to 7 p.m., and his funeral will be Sunday, October 4, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church on Champagnolle Road in El Dorado, followed by interment at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Perry's Funeral Chapels.
Mr. Rumph was preceded in death by his wife of over 62 years, Mary Augusta Jett Rumph; his son, Charles Thomas Rumph; his grandson, William Thomas Lyell Rumph; his parents, Irene and Charles Benjamin Rumph of El Dorado; and his brother and sister-in-law, John Dudley and Juanita Tankersley Rumph.
He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Susan Bettis Rumph; his grandchildren, Joshua Carl "Bo" Rumph (Dana) and Virginia Lynn Rumph Oddson (Dan) of Ft. Collins, CO. "Pop" also has two great-grandchildren, Christopher Brandon and Hannah Gabrielle Rumph who he loved to entertain with coin tricks and his disappearing thumb.
Tom was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing until his early 90s and was a charter member of the El Dorado Country Club. His parents were the founders of Rumph Mortuary in El Dorado and associates of Proctor Funeral Home in Camden. Mr. Rumph served in the Army Air Corp as a glider pilot during World War II and was stationed in the Philippine Islands and was awarded the WWII Victory Ribbon and four Bronze Service Stars. He also attended Hendrix College. He enjoyed visiting the El Dorado Downtown Airport and Goodwin Field to reminisce about flying. Both Tom and Mary loved playing bridge and were in tournaments in Arkansas and throughout the South.
Mr. Rumph was a longtime member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. He leaves behind many friends including his Coffee Club members, Bill Adams, T. M. Byrd, Bob Brown, Charles Hoke, Ike Seller, and D. R. James.
Pop's heart was with his family, many friends and the AA community of which he had been a part for over 40 years.
Pallbearers will be T. M. Byrd, Wallace Ford, Randy Beane, Matt Taylor, Steve York, and Justin Murphree. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Rumph's caregivers, Diane Lovette, Kathy Mays, Aileen Davis, Brittani Harris, Terri Powell, and Rosalina York. Special thanks from the family goes to Pete Parks and David Rothwell, Mr. Rumph's accountants. In leui of flowers, memorials may be made to the Union County Community Foundation, William Rumph Scholarship Fund, P. O. Bx. 148, El Dorado, AR 71730.