1924 – 2006

Dump



When Dump was just a baby, his Aunt thought he was chubby so she started calling him Dumplin’. As he got older that name didn’t fit anymore, and it got shortened to just Dump. I think there may have also been a dislike for his given first and middle names, which were Artemus Montgomery.

His mother died of appendicitis, when he was only 4 years old. He was mostly raised by his older sister until he was about 11 years old and his father remarried.

In December of 1942, just before his 18th birthday, Dump joined the Navy. Because he was not yet 18, his father had to sign for him. He said he didn’t want to do it, but knew his son would join up some how anyway. Dump went to San Diego where he graduated from Hospital Corps School as a Hospital Apprentice, Second Class on April 23, 1943. He soon set sail bound for Wellington, New Zealand on the M. S. Sommelsdyk, and crossed the Equator on August 6, 1943. After 2 yrs 11 mos 18 days, Dump was honorably discharged on November 30, 1945.

On April 15, 1947, Dump and Lena were married at the Baptist Church in Havana. In March 1948 their first son was born. In February 1949 they were blessed with another son. Their lives took them from Arkansas to California, then back to Arkansas. From working in the oil fields, to raising chickens, and being a serviceman for others who were raising chickens.

In his spare time, Dump would enjoy fox hunting and coyote hunting. He would raise his own hunting dogs, and spent many, many nights listening to his dogs run. He passionately enjoyed watching his sons play baseball. He never missed a game.

On July 16, 2006, Dump passed away leaving his behind his wife of 59 years, his two sons, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.