James Jones Bumpus, 92, died Friday, May 15, 2015. Born December 5, 1922, in Mt. Pleasant, TN, he was a child of the Depression and a member of the Greatest Generation. He married Anne Shirley, April 19, 1957, at First Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. He graduated from Hay Long High School, at age 16, with the class of 1939, and attended David Lipscomb College. Receiving a draft notice in December 1942, he departed Mt. Pleasant with the first group of 20 year olds in January. Inducted into the Army-Air Force, he attended OCS and received his commission at Camp Barkeley, Abilene, Texas in 1943. An administrative Officer, Bumpus served in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations with the 231st Medical Dispensary, aviation, China Air Service Command and the 172nd General Hospital. In Shanghai he was Chief of the Personnel Division in charge of all civilian and military personnel. He was discharged at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, August 9, 1946, with the rank of Captain. He attended the University of Tennessee on the G.I. Bill, was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Honorary Fraternity, and received a B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering. Employed by Victor Chemical Works (Stauffer), he worked at both the Mt. Pleasant, TN and Silver Bow, Butte, Montana plants. He retired from Du Pont in Columbia in 1985. An avid outdoorsman, after retiring, he and Anne traveled extensively in the United States, sometimes accompanied by their grandsons. Genealogists , they researched deeds and he platted lands owned by their ancestors in several counties.
He is survived by Anne, his wife of 58 years; daughter: Jane Anne Bumpus (Garland) Shular, Sevierville, TN; son: James Jones (Valerie) Bumpus, Jr., Columbia, TN; grandsons: James Jones (Amy) Bumpus, III, Lewisburg, TN and Andrew Baxter (Chelsea) Bumpus, Columbia, TN; great grand daughter: Kaylee Grace Bumpus, Lewisburg, TN; sisters: Sue Bumpus Abernathy and Marie Bumpus Mayberry, both of Columbia, TN and Mittie Bumpus (S.L.) Parsley, Franklin, TN; sister-in-law: Loretta Shields Bumpus, Nashville, TN; and nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by: grandparents: Dr. John Sidney & Annie Nichols Bumpus; parents: John Sidney & Addie Scott Bumpus, Jr.; brother John Sidney Bumpus, III; sisters: Naomi Bumpus & Ann Bumpus; brothers-in-law: Matthews Abernathy & James Mayberry.
The family will greet friends at Williams Funeral Home, Columbia from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Graveside service with Military Honors will follow at The Arbors in Polk Memorial Gardens with the Reverends Thomas Vann and Gary Wedgewood officiating.
He was a member of FUMC, Mt Pleasant. Named “Friend” by grandsons, memorials may be made to any organization, school or church that assists children.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences can be given to the family online at www.williamsfh.com
