Benjamin J. Bumbry Jr.

Benjamin J. Bumbry Jr., 86, of Quincy, died Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Sunset Home.

Ben was born Aug. 24, 1931, in St. Louis, to Benjamin James and Melzia L. (Walker) Bumbry Sr. He married Helen E. Robbins on March 16, 1957, in Quincy.

Mr. Bumbry worked for over 20 years at Moorman Manufacturing, and following his retirement he went on to teach at Quincy Public Schools for 22 years, retiring in 1998. He also coached girls' softball and basketball at Quincy High School.

He was a graduate of Sumner High School in St. Louis and he attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Bumbry received a bachelor's degree in physical education from Quincy College (now Quincy University) in 1976. He played basketball for both Quincy College and Drake University. While at QC in the 1954-55 season, the team he was on earned a berth in the national tournament and broke racial barriers by fielding a starting five that were all African-American. Mr. Bumbry was inducted into the Iowa AAU Hall of Fame as well as to his alma maters Sumner High School and Quincy College.

Mr. Bumbry was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. He had been a member of Unity Lodge #16 of the Free and Accepted Masons for 54 years. He was also a member of the Illinois/Missouri Male Gospel Chorus that performed throughout the Tri-State area.

Bumbry served on the Quincy City Council from 2004 to 2010 as alderman of Ward #1, the Quincy Park Board from 1993 to 2003 and was director of the Redmon and Lee Community Center. He was a member of the QU Board of Trustees and the SIU Board of Directors. He served as executive director of the Jackson-Lincoln Pool where he was mentor, employer, coach and true friend to many young people who look to him for guidance and an example to live by. Bumbry received the John Quincy Adams Award in 2005 for his role in enhancing the quality of life in our community and in 2009 he received the Lincoln Legacy Award from the Adams County Bar Association for his efforts to foster equality and justice. In 2013 he received an award from the Martha K Majors Club for dedicated service to the community. In 2014 he received the Humanitarian Award from Bethel A.M.E. Church.

He served as a guest lecturer at both John Wood Community College and QU. In 2009 Bumbry was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Culver-Stockton College for his commitment to education, charity and community service. Well-known throughout the area for his band, Ben Bumbry and the Messengers, he performed for over 60 years as a professional musician in Quincy and the Tri-State area, including aboard the Mark Twain River Boat in Hannibal, Mo., where he performed for 28 years. He also helped organize the Mississippi Muddy Waters Blues Society. Bumbry enjoyed pitching horseshoes, swimming, bike riding, basketball, bowling, softball and watching his granddaughter Monica play volleyball.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; three children, Charles Tyrone Bumbry of Quincy, Cynthia Marie Bumbry of Chicago and Benjamin James Bumbry III of Quincy; three grandchildren, Jared Andreas Bumbry, Jacob Cameron Bumbry and Monica Marie Bumbry; three great-grandchildren, Alexander, Aalyah and Skylar. He is also survived by his sister, Grace Ann Bumbry of Berlin, Germany; brothers-in-law, Floyd Robbins, Leon Robbins and an aunt, Vernie Robbins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Robbin Andre Bumbry; and a brother, Charles Bumbry.

SERVICES: Masonic rites will be 12:15 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Madison Park Christian Church. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, at Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, toJackson-Lincoln Pool Complex or to Bethel A.M.E. Church.

ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: dukerandhaugh.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.