George Michael Lumpkin

Mike spent his younger years in Clarksville where his father was assigned to Fort Campbell. A graduate of Clarksville High School in 1967, he attended UT-Martin, Austin Peay University and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, receiving a BA in Journalism after interrupting college for three years. While serving in the U.S. Army, he was an on-air broadcaster with American Forces Korea Network. One of his favorite stories was about a trip across Russia to Europe on the Trans-Siberian Railway after he was honorably discharged from the Army.

He was a reporter and manager in television newsrooms in Chattanooga and Dallas before joining BASYS, later Avid Technologies. He traveled through North and South America teaching newsroom personnel how to use computer systems as the transition was made into the digital environment.

Mike loved his family, photography and traveling the world. After retirement, he and his wife split their time between Charlotte and their home in Lake Lure. He was a founding supporter of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, where he delighted in taking pictures through all the seasons. He learned a love of bird watching from his parents and supported the work of NC Audubon. Some of his best photos were taken on trips to the Outer Banks, where he enjoyed shore birds and sunsets.

He is survived by his wife, Lee Armstrong Lumpkin; his son, Michael Johnson (Heather) and two grandchildren; his sisters, Ramona Lumpkin and Linda Mallory; and an extended and loving family.

Services will be private for the family. A celebration of life is planned for a later date to be determined.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge at lakelurefloweringbridge.org

Condolences may be offered and a complete obituary viewed at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com