Ronald E. Bumpass

Ronald E. Bumpass was born in Lubbock, Texas, on January 6, 1948, and died in Fayetteville on June 22, 2014, following a lengthy illness. He was 66 years old. He moved to Fayetteville as a high school junior, fell in love with our town, and never considered leaving. Ronnie is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home, two sons, Bart Bumpass and his life partner Misty Williams, and Buckley Lewis; two step-daughters, Erin Helf and her husband Ben, and Rachel Sherin and her husband, Jamie, and all of their children; and numerous friends and relatives throughout Arkansas and west Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald (Gene) and Edna Bumpass. Ronnie was a graduate of Fayetteville High School, the University of Arkansas (cum laude), where he was an active member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, and the Leflar Law Center. He practiced law in downtown Fayetteville for 39 years, was an adjunct professor of political science at the U of A, and worked nationwide as a federal arbitrator. In 1989, Governor Bill Clinton appointed Ron a Special Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Throughout his career, Ronnie mentored countless young attorneys who now enjoy successful careers as lawyers and judges. Over that time, he ably represented both corporate clients and 1970s type Dickson Street denizens, and found all to be of equal and high value. There was not an element of judgment in his soul. Ron served as a member of the Fayetteville City Council, vice mayor of Fayetteville, chairman of the Police and Fire Commission, chairman of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Task Force for Economic Development and the Continuing Education Center. He was also an Arkansas Traveler and Friend of Bill. In the mid-1970s, he and his parents rescued the Old Post Office building on the downtown square from urban renewal, where he and a partner opened and operated the Old Post Office Gathering Place for many years, after which the club continued to be a core entertainment center in Fayetteville. Ronnie Bumpass had a vivid imagination. There was never a fish he hadn't caught, a beast he hadn't slain or an alligator he hadn't wrestled. He was the closest thing that Fayetteville ever saw to a true drug store cowboy, preferring leather fringe to three piece suits, Hummers to Maserati's, and Velveeta to brie; he always saw his future as so "bright he had to wear shades [and did]." He was an intrepid adventurer, who traveled to Idaho to support Evil Knievel's abortive attempt to rocket across the Snake River Canyon, after which he and his companions floated the Snake River. He was equally at home floating rapids and debating public policy in the great halls of government. Along with many other Friends of Bill, Ronnie traveled at his own expense into the snow banks of New Hampshire in a successful effort to advance his friend Bill Clinton's race for the White House. Ronnie was interested in everything and everybody, and was a never-failing friend. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2014 at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday at Moore's Chapel with burial to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. Pallbearers will include Bobby Lee Odom, Bobby Ferrell, Bo Morton, Bart Bumpass, Jamie Sherin, and Ben Helf. Memorials may be directed to the Donald E. Bumpass Scholarship Fund, University of Arkansas College of Education, C/O The Donald E. Bumpass Scholarship Fund, 300 University House, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701-1201 To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.