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A. Pumphrey Obituary
A T Pumphrey, one of the last of the World War II flying staff sergeants, died at 3 PM on December 22, 2010. He was 93. A T, known by friends as "Pump," was born in Dill City, Oklahoma and spent his early years in Western Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle. He volunteered for the military draft in November, 1940, spending 33 years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Colonel. Pumphrey was one of the Army Ground Forces flying staff sergeants before being commissioned in 1943 and served in combat in WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was shot down over Normandy shortly after the D-Day invasion and rescued by French partisans. After making it back to the US lines and being hospitalized for wounds, he returned to combat. He completed his military career at Fort Sam Houston. His honors include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with clusters, 45 awards of the Air Medal, the Legion of Merit with clusters, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Army Commendation Medal. Pumphrey was a Master Army Aviator and logged over 6000 flying hours during his military career, most of that in combat operations. He was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1983 for his work in Army Aviation which included developing more emphasis on observation aircraft for patrol operations during the immediate aftermath of WWII and the tension with the Soviets. He is survived by his wife, Angela F. Pumphrey, son Michael P. Pumphrey and wife Loretta, grand daughter Michell E. Pumphrey Woodruff, grandson Michael S. Pumphrey and wife Victoria, and twin great grandchildren Tamera and Tristan, a sister Mary Frances Hinze, and a host of nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many other relatives who joined with him in establishing a bicentennial family reunion which then led to the development of a family tree dating to 1678. Memorial services are scheduled for 9:30 AM on Friday, December 31, 2010 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Girlstown USA, Amarillo, TX or a charity of choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for A. Pumphrey
Sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of AT Pumphrey.
July 27, 2018
I served with LTC Pumphrey when he Commanded the 502d Avn Bn, Ft Hood, TX.
CSM Robert E Smith, USA (Ret), Katy, TX 77493
Rob Glasier
January 6, 2012
I just found out that COL Pumphrey had died. I was one of COL Pumphrey's Junior Staff Officers at Ft. Rucker in 1970-1971, when he ran the Directorate of Instruction and the Standards Branch for Army Aviation. I trained and evaluated the instructors, and was also his Supply Officer, as one of the typical "side jobs" you get assigned. I loved and feared the man. As a young officer, COL Pumphrey was fearsome at times, but someone that you loved and would follow to hell and back - if you came back. We had occasional parties at his house, and he was always a ball to be around then. I worked an Army Aviation Assoc event at Ft. Rucker one time back then, and he sent me a really nice thank you letter after, which I still have and cherish. I had completely lost contact with him for decades until about 6 or 7 years ago, when I attended the annual Army Aviation Association meeting in Nashville, and he was there. He remembered me, gave me a huge big old bear hug, and walked me around, with his arms around my shoulders and introduced me to all the people that he was there with as "one of my boys"... He was a great man. He will be missed. I am so sad that he is gone.
Robert Hurley
January 5, 2011
Until we meet again Old Soldier.
COL (R) Bob Hurley
!st Sqdn, 9th Cavalry
1966-1967
Arnie Hinze
January 4, 2011
He was one great person & soldier that we should be proud of.
Grace Pumphrey Strybing
January 2, 2011
You were not my biological Dad, nevertheless, I called you Dad for almost 45 years. You were always there for our family. You and Mom were wonderful grandparents to Michelle and Michael with all the trips and adventures they experienced with you.
Dad, I will miss you and I'm thankful you were such a big part of my life and you will live on in my heart and all those you encountered.
Michelle Woodruff
January 1, 2011
I am deeply saddend by the loss of my Grandpa, but his strength, wisdom and love will forever be a part of me. I am so proud of who he was and I thank him for instilling in me the importance of strong morals and values. He was a great influence in my life and I will always cherish the many memories we shared. I love you Grandpa.
Whit Snell
December 31, 2010
I don't know that I will ever meet anyone the rest of my life that I will admire as much as "Pump". I have lived down the street from him since 2004 and really got to know him the last couple of years. We became friends and got to spend some time together, sometimes at Jim's for breakfast, but mostly sitting at his kitchen table, or even better, on the bench in his front yard by the flag pole that he raised every morning with a "smart salute" as he would say.
It took me a long time to find out who he was and what he has accomplished because he would always want to know what "you" were up to and would never talk about himself. What an incredible sense of humor he had. A couple of years ago he once told me that Angela was at a "Hooker Convention" and then calmly waited for my uncomfortable reaction "Oh... that's nice" I said. "I got you did'nt I!" We both had quite a laugh.
He was a sharp as a tack. His memory was so much better than mine I would use him as a crutch when I would talk about history and could not remember details and names - he could.
He loved Angela so much and when I would visit at the hospital or rehab he would always ask if I had seen her and she was OK. All you had to do was say the word "Mercy" his dog and he would throw his head back and laugh. His dogs brought him so much joy in his life, and I am sure they were all there to greet him, along with his brothers and parents he told so many stories about.
Thank you Mike for telling the story of your Dad today, the history, but more importantly, who he really was - a humble hero and kind soul to us all.
Mary Hinze
December 31, 2010
A.T., My dear beloved brother. You were my big brother and my hero. I shall miss those weekly phone calls to each other but most of all to hear you say to me, "I love you honey".
Joe Rovig
December 31, 2010
Ole "AT" was my Squadron Commander in Vietnam. We trusted him like no other as "he had already been there and done that, and kept us alive because of it." Last time we talked he was telling me how "proud" he was of his "bo ys" who continued their careers in the Army and "made it". I was being promoted to "full colonel" and it was like having my DAD there with me. Thanks AT for being our true Mentor and Hero. We shall not forget.
COl Joe Rovig, US Army Ret.
Chris Pumphrey
December 31, 2010
"Pump" was my Great Uncle. My family misses you very much. We all looked up to you. Thanks for all you did. Thank you for being my "Great Unc"
December 30, 2010
Dear Aunt Angela, Our hearts are with you though we can not be with you. We loved Uncle Pump and Paul just loved the time he spent with him. Please take of yourself. With love and sadness, Ila Marie and Paul
Kathryn Kovaric
December 30, 2010
Pump you will be missed by all the rug hookers who came to know and love you through Angela. You always treated each of us so well and welcomed us warmly when we came to your home.
I'll always remember your smiling face.
Kathryn Fleming Kovaric
Carlos Garcia
December 30, 2010
I was not acquainted Col. Pumphrey. I am a friend of his nephew. And though I have never met the man, being in the military myself, I recognise excellence when I see it. Col. Pumphrey had it. We need more like him in the military. The earth will be a sadder place with out him, but Heaven will be a little brighter because of him. My condolences go out to all of his family.
********
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941
Dick Pumphrey
December 30, 2010
AT was my uncle and hero. Rest well Unc. I love you.
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