Benjamin Eugene Lumpkin

Lt. Col., Retired, Benjamin E. Lumpkin, Jr. died December 13, 2015 at age 89. He was the son of Benjamin Eugene Lumpkin and Chloe Cornelia Bennett Lumpkin. His great and great-great grandfathers were civil war veterans. He was a native Athenian and graduated from Athens High School in 1943. He was a regular Army Officer and a veteran of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. He graduated with a BBA degree from the University of Georgia in 1948. He received his master's degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University in 1958.

After 22 years, he retired from the regular Army and served two years as controller of Integrated Business Methods in Washington, D.C. He returned to Athens and served four years as business manager of Physical Plant at UGA, and twelve years as county administrator and clerk of Clarke County. He was an independent Insurance Agent for twenty years before his retirement in 2003 as president of Smith-Lumpkin Agency.

He was a Charter Director of Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, first President of Oconee Heritage Society, past director of Kiwanis Club, and past president of five different community associations. He was a member of the Presidents Club, YMCA Health Club, Jennings Mill County Club, Athens Area Retired Officers Association, UGA Heritage Society, Athens-Clarke Retirees Association, Athens Stamp Club, and he was an Eagle Scout. He was a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church and a Deacon. His hobbies were golf, handball, fishing, and woodworking.

Survivors include his loving wife of 70 years, Barbara Jean (Blakely) Lumpkin, two sons, Thomas Lumpkin and Robert Lumpkin, two grandchildren, niece Ruth Anne Carr, three nephews and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Edwin Scott Lumpkin.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 18, 2015 at 11AM at Lord & Stephens West Chapel with Rev. Bill Ricketts officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and a reception will follow the service. Entombment: Evergreen Memorial Park. Flowers are optional or memorials may be made to Prince Avenue Baptist Church.

Lord & Stephens West is in charge of arrangements.