Jamin Franklin Dumas

Jamin F. Dumas, 72, died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on Sunday, March 20, 2022. He was born in Camden, Arkansas, on July 21, 1949. He was the son of Benjamin F. Dumas and Hattie Mae Brown.

Jamin was the eldest of five brothers, three of whom predeceased him, Robert Dumas, William Dumas, and Curtis Dumas. Jamin’s father passed away at the very early age of 30, leaving his mother with four young boys to raise on her own. Even at the tender age of 8 years old, Jamin was empathetic to his mother’s pain and what lied ahead for her. To relieve some of her stress, he undertook the responsibility of helping to care for his three younger brothers, while his mother searched for work and a home in New York City. From that point forward in his life, Jamin never lost sight of the need to help those he loved.

Jamin attended DeWitt Clinton High school in The Bronx, NY, where he was a member of the All City Choir. He was also very involved in the Drama program, where he participated and acted in many plays. Jamin was an exceptional athlete in most sports, but he especially excelled in track and baseball. He was an integral part of the track team and held many records. Jamin was asked to try out for the New York Yankees baseball farm team; however, he was drafted by the Army Branch of the military during the Vietnam War era, which cut his dreams short of becoming a professional baseball player, a longtime passion. When Jamin returned home from serving in the military, his priorities were to better himself by getting a higher education and seeking out employment that would assist him in raising his eight children. Jamin attended the University of Massachusetts where he majored in Sociology. Jamin’s career throughout his life focused on Criminal Justice and Social Services.

Jamin loved and cherished his children. Early on, they did not have the luxuries that some families had, but his children were happy because their father was strong and gave them an extremely loving and secure home. Today, all of his children are successfully thoughtful individuals who have learned a great deal about life and treating others with respect and dignity, no matter what walk of life one comes from. The dedication and love Jamin showed his children transferred to his grandchildren. His legacy is deeply strong and will go forward for generations to come.

Education was always on the forefront of Jamin’s life. He was never without a book, always bettering himself to learn all he could about the history of the world, both current and past. He also had a deep passion to learn about another’s plight or society’s injuries that often broke the spirit of individuals. He was always helping another person who was less fortunate than himself. Because of his constant desire for knowledge, he was well read and shared his wealth of knowledge with many, especially his children, who have benefitted greatly throughout the years. Because of Jamin’s example and instilling his values, all of his children are very intelligent and morally sound adults. They all have a hunger for knowledge and the desire to carry in his footsteps. Most importantly, he instilled how to treat people, of all walks of life, with respect and dignity, and to always offer the under-dog a fighting chance.

Jamin also gave a lot of his time to young people, by coaching and spending quality time teaching them how to respect themselves and their talents. He had the ability to change a young person’s life by believing in them and offering them his time as a positive role model. Jamin’s donation to many children of yesteryear has surely benefited today’s society by producing healthy adults. Jamin had a great talent, influencing young people to higher levels of expectation.

Jamin’s life was full of ups and downs and many stories can be told by all his experiences. However, the best story was of the real-life love story of he and his wife Barbara (Lachapelle) Dumas, who began their relationship 44 years ago. It was love at first sight for both of them. They had a love and dedication to each other that people only dream of or read about. Their hearts literally hurt when they were apart. They were true soul mates, absolutely crazy about each other and inseparable. No matter what was happening around them or in the world they always supported each other in every way possible, 100% of the time. Jamin loved all varieties of music. He and Barbara spent a lot of time dancing together, as well as playing games and watching movies of all genres, but especially old movies.

Jamin was a great sports enthusiast early on. He and Barbara loved watching sports together; their favorites were basketball, football, and baseball. Jamin’s favorite sports teams were the Pittsburg Steelers and the New York Yankees. He was a collector of caps and whenever he would sport a Steelers or Yankees cap when going out, he inevitably would be approached by a stranger and a conversation would be struck up about one of the teams, which then would strike up other conversations. Jamin was well versed in most subjects so there were times when conversations would be lengthy and at times lead to further conversations.

Jamin also had a great passion for fishing, something he had done his whole life. He and his family enjoyed many fishing trips together over the years, but their very favorite was the many trips to Snake River. The family would caravan over to the river on the border of Oregon and Idaho and spend time camping, fishing, playing games and just plain enjoying their time together.

Jamin and Barbara took up the sport of golf about 10 years ago and found that they had a true passion for the sport. Even though neither had ever played, they taught themselves, with Jamin as the “coach.” During the first couple years of playing, you could find them out on the golf course trying to improve their game, no matter the weather. They had played in many cities across the country and their goal was to try to play in all 50 states over the next few years. Jamin and Barbara had so many things they enjoyed together but most special to them was spending time with their large family of loving children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. It was very important to Jamin that his children and grandchildren understood the true importance of family and the value of being there for each other throughout life.

Jamin was a very passionate, strong, steadfast, and selfless man. Jamin always walked the talk. He had high expectations for himself and for those around him, which brought all who encountered him to higher levels of humanity. He often opened people’s eyes to the ugliness that the world dished out and tried with all his being to right a wrong. Jamin was like no other. He was a bright light in a dark world. Jamin was a soul that was strong and was not easily influenced to go any other way than that which would elevate those around him. Jamin had been a true positive spirit and influence who would never stop trying to make this world he lived in a better place. Jamin’s beautiful heart transcended all that was wrong in this world. His smile was bigger than life and his laugh was contagious to the highest level. He espoused the true meaning of friendship. Once he became your friend, you could depend on him for life. Our precious husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend will be profoundly missed for sure.

Besides his parents and brothers, Jamin was predeceased in death by his daughter, Tanya Dumas, in 1997.

Jamin is survived by his loving wife, Barbara. He is also survived by his son Benjamin Dumas III, son Tchannin Dumas and wife Tiona Dumas, daughter Sonia Dumas, son Jha-Vanne Dumas, daughter Tanika Dumas and husband Duane Mathis, son Malik Dumas, and daughter Jhamilla Hoffine and husband Aaron Hoffine. Jamin is also survived by his grandchildren Alec, Alex, Alexandria, Alyvia, Ayesha, Devin, Fatima, Hunter, Jason, Jha-Barrie, Jha-Kai, Jordan, Josiah, Justine, Kaedrik, Kingston, Morrighan, Paiton, Tao, Xavier, and great grandchildren Ethereah and Zaire.

Jamin also leaves his brother Keith Sapp of Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

A memorial for Jamin will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 12-2 pm, at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, 605 Commercial Street SE, Salem, OR 97301. The family is extremely grateful to all who have extended their loving condolences, flowers, and messages of comfort. If anyone is so inclined to make a contribution in Jamin’s name, a donation to the Boys and Girls Club would be greatly appreciated.