Buel Maurice Pumphrey

Buel Maurice Pumphrey, age 84, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2015. He was born October 11, 1930 in Grant County, Arkansas, the son of the late Buel F. Pumphrey and Alice A. Pumphrey. Survivors are one sister, Reba F. Cooper and her husband, Havis W. Cooper; one niece, Cynthia Cooper; and one nephew, Michael Cooper. Mr. Pumphrey is also survived by five grand-nephews and grand-nieces. He attended schools in the Sweet Home and Paxton Communities in the vicinity of Prattsville. Mr. Pumphrey was a 1948 Sheridan High School graduate. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 1948 and was trained in air frame repair. During the Korean War, he was shipped overseas to Japan and served at air base maintenance units at Misawa and Yokota Air Bases. After discharge, he worked in the aircraft industry at Wichita, Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma for several years until being laid off. He returned to Arkansas and was employed by the Rockwell, Sheridan Plant in the production of gas regulators and meters in 1964. He stayed with the plant during the transition to Sterling Plumbing Products and the later purchase by the Kohler Company. Mr. Pumphrey retired after 32 years in 1996 and served his final years as a manufacturing engineer. Mr. Pumphrey was of the Baptist faith. Having been un-married, he enjoyed his immediate family and friends, along with the comradery of numerous Pumphrey and Ashcraft cousins. A private graveside service will take place at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Philadelphia Cemetery Association, c/o Joyce Bird, 4820 Hwy. 291 South, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. You may sign the guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com.