Obituary
Guest Book
1922
2017
Knowles Edward Pumphrey, 94, passed away August 5, 2017. Knowles was born November 3, 1922 in Booneville, Arkansas to parents, Claud and Orah Pumphrey. At the age of 5 his family moved to Wewoka, Oklahoma . Knowles went thru 12 years of school in Wewoka and graduated in 1940. After graduating from High School, he went to machinist school in Shawnee, Oklahoma for three months and was then hired by Boeing in Wichita, Kanasas to be a jig builder for six months. Knowles enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years during WWII. He was released from the Navy on February 8, 1946. Knowles worked for Coleman and retired after 37 plus years of service in the Data Processing Department. While working at Coleman, he also was a member of the Data Processing Management Association and served as program chairman, vice president and president and was a member for 20 years.
He is preceded in death by parents, Claud and Orah Pumphrey; and sister, Claudine Slavin.
Knowles is survived by wife, Bettye Ann Pumphrey; son, David Wayne Pumphrey and wife Mary; grandson, David Edward Pumphrey and wife Molly; brother, John Pumphrey and wife Carolyn; and many extended loved ones and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woods United Methodist Church and Grand Prairie Co-Op.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home.
5 Entries
October 14, 2017
Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. Seek the love and support God provides to help you cope during this time - Psalms 29:11
August 15, 2017
Larry Bond
September 1971 photo at Coleman with co-worker sorting punched cards.
August 15, 2017
Larry Bond
Knowles was a great friend years after his Coleman retirement. My wife and I stopped by.his home in Grand Prairie several times as we were passing thru to the Gulf, sometimes staying over night at his insistence. Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's, he wold partner with Coleman department manager, Keith Holder in their daily lunchtime pitch game..Ii was amazed at how many time he would "shoot the moon" without even looking at his cards. Amazingly, more times than not what he didn't have in his hand Keith would have is his to win the bid. He'll always be in my memory.
Larry Bond, Coleman employee August 20, 1963 - December 31, 1998.
August 13, 2017
John Brooks
I am very saddened to hear of Knowles passing. Knowles gave me my first opportunity in IT in 1968 when he hired me as a computer operator at Coleman's. After a few years he offered me a position as shift leader that I took advantage of for about three years. This required reporting to him on a daily bases as to what occurred during my shift. I have always felt blessed to work with him.
August 11, 2017
Tom Rongish
I had an interview in 1981 with Knowles for a position in Coleman's DP department. I am still with Coleman IT 36 years later.
He was one of the good guys.
Please accept my deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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