Mike Kumpuris Jr.

Mike Kumpuris Jr., know to most as "Papou", age 83, of Bryant, Ark., died Sunday, July 18, 2010, at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. He was born March 26, 1927, in El Dorado, Ark., to the late Lucille (Wright) and Mike Kumpuris Sr. On June 23, 1946, he married Anne Christine Kober in Bremerton, Wash. Mike was a graduate of Little Rock High School in 1945, where he was a lauded tackle, starting all three years and winning a state championship. In 1945-1946, he served in the US Navy where he was a Golden Glove Boxing Champion. Mike was a graduate of the University of Montana where he was a scholarship football player, playing in the inaugural Hula Bowl and was even invited to the Green Bay Packers training camp. He was also a graduate of Stanford University with a Physical Therapy degree. In 1973, Mike was named a Fellow in the American College of Hospital Administration. During his employment at St. Vincent Infirmary, he created their first Physical Therapy clinic and actively pursued state government regulations for licensure of Physical Therapy practitioners in Arkansas, and served as Senior Vice President until his retirement in 1992. He was an active Rotarian, having served as Club President and District Governor, and created dozens of Paul Harris Fellow recognitions. At age 72, Mike was elected to a two-year term on the Little Rock School Board. He was co-founder of Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS), founder of two neighborhood associations still active today, founder of the first senior citizen exercise program in Bryant and was Project chairman for Arkansas Polio Plus. He won the Sen. David Pryor Award for humanitarian services and won the Channel 4 Community Service Award. Mike volunteered for and led numerous boards and functions at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock and Friends in Christ Lutheran Church in Bryant. He enjoyed tennis, running, boating, fishing, walking his dog, spending time with his family and helping people in need around the world. His charitable works include missions to Russia, Pakistan, Tanzania, India, Honduras, Greece and Germany as well as numerous humanitarian efforts throughout Little Rock, the state of Arkansas and the country. Mike Kumpuris was a great man, living life to its fullest, loving his family and friends with all his heart and abiding by the motto "Service Above Self." He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anne Christine Kumpuris; his son, Thomas Kumpuris (Marsha); his daughter, Michele Smith (Bryan); his grandchildren, Alexandria Franz (Chris), Amanda, Lauren and Nicholas Kumpruis; his great-grandchildren, Emma and Addison Kumpuris; his brother, Rudy Cullum; his sisters-in-law, Pat Kumpuris and Ellie McAllister; his brother-in-law, Dr. JT McAllister; and his beloved dog, Pumpkin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Kumpuris. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the doctors and nursing staff on the Orthopedic floor and MICU at St. Vincent Infirmary for their excellent loving care and compassion. Additionally, we would like to thank Drs. Dean and Drew Kumpuris for their superior care, direction and support during this difficult time. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Hwy. 5 North, Alexander (501-455-1067). A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at the funeral home with Rev. Emil Woerner officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Sam Sanders, Buddy Coleman, KV Mathen, Jim LaBord, John Bennet, Dewey Glasscock, Terry Anthony, Luke Rayburn and Jon Swanson. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Mike Kumpuris to Friends in Christ Lutheran Church, 4305 Hwy 5 North, Bryant, Ark. 72022. To sign the online guest book, visit www.griffinleggettforesthills.com.