Robert James Pumpelly

1919 - 2013

Robert James Pumpelly obituary, 1919-2013, Lake Charles, LA

BORN

1919

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

J. E. Hixson & Sons

3001 Ryan Street

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Robert Pumpelly Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 15, 2013.

Robert James Pumpelly, 93, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at his residence.
He was born in Augusta, Kansas, May 23, 1919. He graduated from high school in Oklahoma City in 1936. He served in the U.S. Navy Air Force during WWII for 3 ½ years and has been a pilot for over 50 years.
He served as past Chairman of the Board of Pumpelly Oil, LLC and Pumpelly Tire, LLC.
He also served as past president of Boy's Village, YMCA, Lake Charles Credit Bureau, Calcasieu Area Safety Counsel, Calcasieu Area of Boy Scouts of America, Calcasieu Area American Heart, La. Oil Marketers, Inc.
He was past board member of Calcasieu Area Chamber of Commerce, United Fund, Crime Stoppers, La. Saving & Loan, Samaritan Counseling Center, Downtown Rotary Club, Gideon's International, Fourth Ave. Church of God, Foreman Reynaud YMCA, Mid America Christian University, Calcasieu Cameron Association for Persons with Orthopedic Disabilities, Advisory Board Calcasieu Community of Clinic. He was the past President and board member for 45 years of Mid-American Christian University.
He was a member of the American Legion, served as Sunday School Superintendent, teacher and board member of Christ Community Church. He was currently attending Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Awards include Foreman Reynaud YMCA Man of the Year, 1982; Chamber of Commerce Civic Service Award, 1981; Rotarian of the year, Downtown Club, 1960; Beta Gamma Sigma Recognition Award, McNeese 1992; Lake Charles East Rotary, Jack Harris Award 1988; Angel Award, Blue Cross Blue Shield, 1997; Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mid America Christian University Oklahoma City, OK in 1981; Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award 1975; Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award 1990; Della Krause Thielen Foundation Citizen of Year and Founders Circle Award 1998; Honored by the Lake Charles Optimist Club at Annual Golf Tournament, 1998; YMBC Club Citizen of the Year 1982.
He was married to Vida Vincent in 1941 that preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Pumpelly; children Jane Brumby and Glenn Pumpelly; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Pumpelly of Houston, Texas; 3 sisters, Marie Arnett of Westlake, Lois Hoyler of Lake Charles and Sylvia Dunn of Lake Charles.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 18 at 11:00am at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Reverend Cliff Sanders and Reverend Francis LaRocque will officiate. Pallbearers are Turner Brumby, Gray Pumpelly, Steven Hooks, James R. Snow, Ray Yerkey and Paul Fetzer. Burial will be at Prien Memorial Park. Visitation will be Thursday 4pm – 8pm and Friday from 8am until service time. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gideons International, Mid-America Christian University or the McNeese Foundation. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
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January 21, 2013

This was a good man. I enjoyed working for him when I stayed with Mrs. Marie.

January 19, 2013

Brenda Redburn

Mr. Glenn, I was so sorry of hearing of your dads passing. You probably don't remember me but, I started working for your company in your westlake store. Your family always treated their employees as family. I have fond memories of your father. He was a great man. I live in Arkansas now so this is the only way that I can show my respect. My prayers are with you and your family.
Brenda Redburn

Posted by Brenda Redburn

January 18, 2013

Martha Black

I am so thankful I was on the Board of Trustees with Bob at Mid-America Christian University. It was a pleasure knowing him. I pray God will comfort all your hearts.

January 18, 2013

George and Suzanne Q Caldwell Sonnier
So sorry Jane, wish I could have been there. My health prohibited me from attending.

Much love to your Family, Suzanne Q Caldwell Sonnier

January 18, 2013

Jane, I just returned home from babysitting in Shreveport and read about your father's death. Please know that our prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely, Susan and Darrell Morris

January 17, 2013

Christian-Business Man-Pilot-Humanitarian

A person whose broad intellectual interest & Expertise Span different subject areas is defined as "Renaissance"
Thanks Bob for your interest 60 years ago in a bunch of Boys who love you for what you for us. We will Never Forget Our "Renaissance Guy"
Kernell Miller
Boys Village 1951-1955

January 17, 2013

Randy & Susan Frost

Bob and Vida, see you in Heaven where I will finally buy your meal since I owe you so many. Thanks for showing me what a "REAL" Christian Man is like.

January 17, 2013

Glenn, Sorry to hear about your father. You and your family are in my prayers! Les Lowery

January 17, 2013

T.A. and Doris Roberts

We knew Bob for many years. Never have we known a man with such a big heart and who epitomized the meaning of integrity so well. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our prayers go out to all of you.

January 17, 2013

Jane and Glenn - I'm sorry to hear of your father's death. Incredible gentleman who was a great Civic leader. If ya'll need anything just call at any time. My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family.
Scott Moffett

January 16, 2013

Cletus (Pete) Cottrell

To the Pumpelly Family. I'm one of 4 Cottrell brothers that went to Boys Village in 1952. It was there that I met Mr. Pumpelly whom inspired us that you can be of great service through hard work and serving Almighty God. We had the pleasure to thank him in person at our Boys Village reunion on March 19. 2011. We pray for him and his family at this time and know we will see him in the future. Blessings to all!

January 16, 2013

Pat Phillips McRae

My love and prayers go out to Bob's family. He was such an important part of my life also. From my very early years Brother Pumpelly was a huge enfluence in my Christian life. He taught me Sunday School. He loved each one of the kids of Fourth Ave. Church of God as one of his own. We have lost a great man of God but I know he is rejoicing with so many in heaven. Jane and Glen I also want to say thank you for sharing your Dad with so many of us.

January 16, 2013

Coy Bennett

Sending love and prayers to family ,, Bob was loved and respected by all... Coy and Linda Bennett

January 16, 2013

Marcia Owens Farber and Family

So sorry about your dad and grandfather passing away. All of you are in our prayers.

January 16, 2013

Terry Canfield

So many memories flood my mind when I think of Bob. It was my great joy to serve as one of Bob's Associate Pastors in the 80's. I remember arriving early at the church building as Bob opened the doors and made the coffee. I appreciated his words of wisdom and friendship. Bob lived out Micah 6:8. He was a true Christ follower. My thoughts and prayers to the family. Thank you for sharing Bob with so many. Our lives are enriched.

January 16, 2013

Mike Ladd

I never met Mr. Pumpelly but get the sense he was a great man. Glenn, I am sorry for your loss.

January 16, 2013

Frank Ramey

"It is evident when we read the obituary of Bob Pumpelly that we could exhaust our vocabulary trying to voice appreciation. While serving with him on the Board of Trustees at MACU in Oklahoma City our greeting to each other would be "Brother" in the endearing terms of those who follow Jesus Christ.
His wisdom in the decision making process was sound, his commitment to Christ and MACU very evident. His love for family an appropriate 'proud love'. My personal condolences to family, my final salute to "Brother Bob" is "Well done, faithful servant!" Frank Ramey, Senior Pastor St. Andrew Church of God, Camden, SC

January 16, 2013

Katrina Leckband

So sad to hear of Mr. Pumpelly's passing. I have known him since I was a little girl. My Mom, Tracey Myrick, worked for the Pumpelly's for many years. He lived a long full life. One of my fondest memories is when him and Mrs Pumpelly attended my wedding. RIP Mr Pumpelly You will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

January 16, 2013

I want to express my condolences to the family.
May he rest in peace with the Lord forever.

John Gobert

January 16, 2013

Gary Mathis

What a privilege to have known Bob, his remarkable christian witness, his generosity, his concern for others . In the forty years of going to Lake Charles to visit my mother-in-law, Bob would always visit Connie and I take us to dinner or invite us to his home. I have such admiration and respect for this wonderful christian businessman. My prayers and thoughts go out to the Pumpelly Family.

January 16, 2013

Brenda Redburn

I worked for Mr. Pumpelly for about five years. I loved him and his family. They always treated you like family. I know he will be missed. My prayers are with his family. I live in Arkansas now so this is the only way I can show my respect.Respectfully Brenda Redburn

January 16, 2013

What a great Christian Man. Pat and I send our sincere sympathy to the family.
His life made a significant differnce.
Marvin and Pat Sanders

Posted by

January 16, 2013

Pam Robertson

What a great man who will be missed by so many. From the time I met Bob at Fourth Avenue Church back in 1993 he treated me like family. He was so genuine and down to earth. While it is hard to see him go, I know he is rejoicing in his heavenly home.

January 16, 2013

Tom Lane

I was very sorry to learn about Bob's passing. Although I never met Bob, I know his son and son-in-law. They are both great guys which I think says a lot about Bob. My condolences to the entire Pumpelly family.

January 16, 2013

We have such fond memories of Bob and will cherish them always.
May God comfort his family,

Fannie Sue Heard & Becky Heard Fike

January 16, 2013

David Lawson

Bob and I served together for several years on the MidAmerica University Board at times of great financial and leadership stress. I admired Bob's supportive and friendly demeanor in all the activities that brought srength to the University's future and knew him as a dedicated Christan churchman of outstanding conviction. I thank God for the privilige of working with him and knowing him as friend and fellow laborer in the Kingdom and I extend my sympathy and words of comfort to his loving family and dear friends. We will greet him soon in Glory! My service in World Service and in the Leadership Council of the Church of God extended my time of service with Bob and my appreciation of his love for the Lord!

January 16, 2013

Alice Browning

Mr. Bob was one of the kindest, hardworking men I've met in my lifetime. He was truly a fine example of what God wants us to be, he shared his faith without ever having to say a word, because you could see he lived what he believed. He always had a smile and word of encouragement for you and I'll miss him greatly. My prayers are with each of you during this time.

January 16, 2013

+Jude Speyrer

It's hard to know where to start or where to stop when writing of Bob Pumpelly. In my twenty-one years in Lake Charles, I came to know, respect and admire him greatly. In 1980 his sister in law, Willadene Rawley rendered significant support to my efforts to organize the Diocese of Lake Charles. It was largely through her and Vida Pumpelly, her sister, that Bob and I came to know each other.

Bob Pumpelly leaves a vast legacy behind him. We have lost a great man.

Dear Bob, may you rest in peace.

January 16, 2013

Charlotte Brock

I grew up in Fourth Avenue Church of God, and Bob Pumpelly was an important part of my life and my family. We spent many days as youth in their pool and rides in his airplane. Thank you Bob for hauling all us kids to church camp every summer. Thank you for being a great Godly Man.

January 15, 2013

Richard Martin

Bob was a man of faith and action. Only in eternity will we fully know of his impact on the lives of many in the ministry today. Blessings to Vida and the family.

January 15, 2013

Deanne Curtis

Bob was practically a member of our family, and my Dad just thought the world of him. Dad (James Curtis) was probably there waiting to greet him so they could get caught up and tell a few more bad jokes! Rest, Servant of God, you have been faithful, and many men and women have been influenced by your compassionate heart.

January 15, 2013

Darline LeJeune

I always enjoyed watching his face light up the sanctuary when I was singing a solo. We had some GREAT times in the choir and he was always opening his house/pool for any church/youth function! He was well respected by his church family and in the community and one of my mentor's. I'll miss him greatly but THRILLED for him! All of you are in my prayers!

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Funeral services provided by:

J. E. Hixson & Sons

3001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

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