Jerry Leroy Rumph

Edwards Small Mortuary announces with our deepest sympathy the passing of Jerry Leroy Rumph on June 13, 2024.  Our sincere condolences to the family and friends. 

To our beloved husband, father, friend, uncle, and grand dad, Jerry Leroy Rumph, who entered this world on May 24,1949 in Fort Valley, Georgia. “To know him was to love him.” Jerry attended the public schools in Peach County and graduated from H. A. Hunt High School in 1966. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State College (University) and later attended Post Secondary School at Western Michigan University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Chemistry. 

Jerry worked as a Senior Research Chemist for the Pfizer Company. His hobbies included: working on computers, spending time with grand kids, storytelling, outside adventures, cooking down South meals and a fixer of everything. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Jerry’s vibrant personality drew people to him because he was: honest, generous, compassionate, friendly and helpful. He would help anyone in need. 

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Willie B. Rumph, Sr.; his mother, Mary Emma Rumph and his brother, Ervine Rumph. 

Jerry departed this life on June 13, 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

He stressed the importance of education. Even though his advice to the children in his family may have sounded harsh, he would follow up with one of favorite quotes: “You can do anything if you put your mind to it.” 

Jerry enjoyed maintaining his well-manicured lawn. Everyone, not just family, who walked past his house while he worked in his yard could not escape becoming engaged in a conversation with Jerry. Then, there were times when he would sit on his porch and as people would pass by he would invite them to come pull up a chair and join him as he talked about life for a while. 

Our family will miss the time he spent in the yard and with his antique car, Victor. However, he did not neglect his family. For example, he spent countless weekends driving his daughter to gymnastics practice and Gymnastics Meets that were frequently held out of town. He helped our mom with the chores around the house such as cleaning and preparing greens for storage in the freezer. 

Jerry leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Gail Searcy Rumph; daughter, Qianna N. Decker; sons: Victor L Rumph, Justin L Rumph, and Dedrick A. Rumph; brothers: Willie B. Rumph, Jr. Roy Rumph; sisters: Virgina Evans, Constance Rumph Griffey and Darlene Rumph; grandchildren: Alexis Rumph, Jada Decker, Jaden Miars, Candice Pierre, Brandon Porter, Savannah Rumph, Gianna Rumph, Tatum Decker and Taylor Decker along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends. 

We are blessed to have been able to share him with all of you. He will surely be missed more than we ever know. 

REST IN HEAVEN!