W.G. "Jerry" Bumpus

William Gerald Bumpus of Arlington Tennessee was born on November 17th, 1934 in Jackson Tennessee to the late Neil Fitzgerald “Jack” Bumpus and Ina Mai Allison Bumpus. A Class of 1952 graduate of Jackson High School, Jerry was working at Les Reinke Buick when a chance meeting with a pilot in the US Air Force made it known that one only needed a High School Diploma to join the cadets. He clocked out, went across the street to the post office and joined the service. Jerry was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in January of 1956 and spent the next three years piloting the B-47 in the Strategic Air Command. Upon finishing his service, he returned to Jackson and following in his father’s footsteps, went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad, while simultaneously earning a Bachelor’s Degree in math from Lambuth College. Jerry’s 30 plus year career in the railroad was nearly unmatched. Working his way from a baggage handler, he started up the ladder, following the rails from town to town, as far south as Destrehan Louisiana all the way up to Chicago Illinois, over thirteen different moves, eventually earning his corner office as the Senior Vice President of Operations.

Though he didn’t love every job he ever had, he was exemplary at each of them. His real passion however, was his family. It was that love of his family that lead him to the career that would define the rest of his life. In August 1986, for the sole purpose of providing a job for his disabled son, he risked everything he had and purchased Harley-Davidson of Memphis. This business would soon become Bumpus Harley-Davidson and would be the catalyst for a life of excitement, passion, adventure and success… the legacy for which he perhaps is best known.

Jerry Bumpus was a man of family. Nothing made him happier than sharing time with his sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the myriad of his “family” of friends. He was a master wood worker, a crack fly fisherman, one hell of a bird shot, a first-rate BBQ pitmaster, a brilliant storyteller, an adventurer, a long-haul rider, and mentor to literally hundreds of people who were lucky enough to share a space in his circle. Jerry loved deeply and the spear tip of his love was focused squarely on his wife, Katie. Married in 1996, Katie and Jerry Bumpus were a perfect picture of love, adventure, and storybook romance. They loved their morning coffee and conversation. They loved “visiting” and the simple act of just being together with each other. They loved to dream about the possibilities of life. They loved to travel around the world and there was nothing they loved doing together more than seeing our country from the seat of a Harley-Davidson.

Jerry Bumpus was a dad. The greatest dad that anyone could ever have. He raised his sons to love, to work hard, to be honest in all thought and action, to have fun, to be respectful, to use their heads and to make the world a better place every time they interacted with someone. Jerry Bumpus reflected goodness on his sons.

Jerry Bumpus was a Papa. Nothing brought Jerry more joy than his grandchildren and he loved them more than life. He was a teacher, a role model and a shining example of how life should be lived.

Jerry Bumpus was a patriot. He loved his country, loved its history and was proud of his service to our Nation.

Jerry Bumpus had a brilliant mind. He was able to effortlessly see the complex and convert it to the simple. He thought deeply…. About business, spirituality, politics, history and relationships. Jerry’s best friend in the service, retired Colonel Ralph Clemens (rumored by Jerry to be the 2nd best pilot in USAF Class 56-G), would say, “no one could understand the equations, the scales and the applied concepts of the physics of flight better than Bill Bumpus”.

Jerry Bumpus was a friend. If you were one of his friends, you were in for a good time and a bankable memory.

He was Pop. The old sage. The storyteller. The warrior. The counsellor. The quintessential Gentleman.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Ina Mai, a brother Jackie Bumpus, a sister Martha Jane Bumpus Graves, a son Dan Bumpus and a granddaughter, Sweetheart Bumpus.

He is survived by his beloved wife Katie, the one around whom his love and devotion revolved. His sons Tim Bumpus (Mary) of Arlington, TN, Tom Bumpus (Angie) of Murfreesboro, TN, Scott Bumpus (Angie) of Mercer, TN and Jeff Olchawa (Mary) of Arlington, TN.

Also surviving are his grandchildren Kristi Smith (Wes), Lee Bumpus, Alex McDonald (Josh), Kiersten DeJager (Kaleb), Haiden Bumpus, Carter Bumpus (Jennie), Brandon Bumpus, and Kelly Olchawa, great grandchildren Landon Smith, Jaxon Smith, Drake Smith, Mason McDonald, Truman McDonald, InaMai McDonald, Finley Brittain, Branson Bumpus, Marlee Bumpus, Margaret Bumpus, Ayvah Serrano, Dawson DeJager, Everly DeJager, his soon-to-be Great Great Grandson Harrison McDonald plus Nieces, Nephews and scores of friends. And don’t forget his dog Charlie, his best little sidekick.

Visitation for Jerry Bumpus will be on Monday November 9 from 5-8PM at Memphis Funeral Home, 3700 N. Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday November 10 at 10AM with burial following at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lee Bumpus, Wes Smith, Carter Bumpus, Brandon Bumpus, Josh McDonald, Mason McDonald, Ryan Tapley, Richie Gaggley and Kaleb DeJager. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry’s “other sons”, Mike McGhee, Keith Duren, Skip Martin and Mike Davis.

Memorials in Jerry’s name can be made to the Denmark Presbyterian Church Restoration Fund. Direct donations care of the Big Black Creek Historical Association, P.O. Box 50, Denmark, TN, 38391.

A Jerry Bumpus size hole exists in our lives but we are all blessed to have lived alongside of him.