Obituary for Michael Joseph "Mike" Pumphrey
Michael Pumphrey was one in a million. Our one in a million. And with the heavenly odds in our favor, we all won the lottery just by knowing Mike as a husband, father, son, brother and friend.
He was our Lucky Star.
Born to Lonney Paul and Arlene Marie Pumphrey, Mike was their one-of-a-kind baby boy – the oldest of three children. Being the big brother was a big task, but Mike embraced his sibling leadership role – especially the teasing rights that came along with the title. Like the time he tricked his brother Dan, telling him to pick up a slithering something off the ground, all the while promising: it couldn’t possibly be a grass snake ... Or, the day Mike knew trouble was coming his way and played a great game of “run and hide” to avoid getting “his tan hide,” resulting in Dan and JoLynn getting the spankings instead. Despite those pranks, and likely many more never claimed over the years, Mike loved his brother and sister very much, often bringing up their names so fondly.
Growing up as an “Okie from Muskogee,” Mike developed an undying love for big rig trucks (driving them professionally for 22 years), classic country music, family traditions and watching sports. His devotion as a University of Oklahoma fan – complete with a vast collection of OU hats and apparel – was well known among his friends, co-workers, and, of course, family. Boomer Sooner could not be contained! A special family memory took the Pumphrey family to an awesome football game vs. UCLA just last fall, when the Sooners stomped the Bruins 48-14!
Whether it was the road trip to that OU game or to his sons’ many baseball and basketball tournaments or taking in another country music concert with his dance partner for life, Lezley, Mike embraced life on this earth just as he embraced the people he loved – fully and completely with no regrets. Mike enjoyed every mile as a truck driver, logging his travels day or night, hour after hour with no complaints. He loved the smell of diesel, and yes, it was in his veins.
Mike also loved hanging out with Lezley and their families. Anything that would bring his loved ones together gave him joy – which meant he would be blessed with a bounty of joyous moments. Mike’s athleticism and sports knowledge has molded the Pumphrey boys – Connor Joseph and Cohen Alexander – into phenomenal athletes and even more amazing young men. Now sitting in the best seat in the house, the boys’ dad will always and forever be cheering for his @PumpDawg4 and @CocoBaller7.
Mike and Lezley married on June 24, 2000 – the start of their one-in-a-million journey together. As each other’s best friend, they lived, loved and laughed together each and every day. In recent years, Mike was able to join Lezley regularly for her event planning tasks. The dynamic duo teamed up to create wonderful occasions for so many local businesses and families, making even more friends along the way and showing others what it means to be a husband-and-wife team for life.
Mike was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Eugene “Gene” and Lois Katherine of Porum, Oklahoma; and his maternal grandparents, Joseph Alfonso and Emma Louise Carbonneau of Paramus, New Jersey. Left to cherish the memory of their one in a million is Mike’s beloved wife, Lezley; sons, Connor and Cohen; his parents, Lonney and Arlene Pumphrey; brother Daniel “Dan” Paul and sister-in-law Casey Pumphrey; sister JoLynn Marie and brother-in-law Tim Sheldon; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Lezley and the boys would like to thank their families and friends, as well as their baseball and basketball families, for everything they have done to provide comfort during this horrific tragedy. We are forever grateful for all the prayers, food, flowers, text messages, phone calls, cards, social media posts, love and support received as we remember and celebrate Mike’s life.
A special thank you to: Pastor Mike Espejo, Greenlawn Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, Willow Ranch and the Motor City employees for the endless amount of support.
In our sorrow, we find peace in knowing that our one-in-a-million Michael remains our Lucky Star, watching, even twinkling, from high above … and that, one day, we will all be together again.
A Truckers Last Ride
He traveled the roads in the years gone past
a life he chose and hoped it would last.
Driving all night from state-to-state
trying to get home and arriving late.
He parked his truck now,
his engine has stopped
and those who have loved him
their hearts have dropped.
He traveled every mile
with a smile and great pride
now he travels the streets of Heaven
on the Truckers Last Ride
MAY GOD RIDE WITH YOU...10-4 AND GOODBYE.
He was our Lucky Star.
Born to Lonney Paul and Arlene Marie Pumphrey, Mike was their one-of-a-kind baby boy – the oldest of three children. Being the big brother was a big task, but Mike embraced his sibling leadership role – especially the teasing rights that came along with the title. Like the time he tricked his brother Dan, telling him to pick up a slithering something off the ground, all the while promising: it couldn’t possibly be a grass snake ... Or, the day Mike knew trouble was coming his way and played a great game of “run and hide” to avoid getting “his tan hide,” resulting in Dan and JoLynn getting the spankings instead. Despite those pranks, and likely many more never claimed over the years, Mike loved his brother and sister very much, often bringing up their names so fondly.
Growing up as an “Okie from Muskogee,” Mike developed an undying love for big rig trucks (driving them professionally for 22 years), classic country music, family traditions and watching sports. His devotion as a University of Oklahoma fan – complete with a vast collection of OU hats and apparel – was well known among his friends, co-workers, and, of course, family. Boomer Sooner could not be contained! A special family memory took the Pumphrey family to an awesome football game vs. UCLA just last fall, when the Sooners stomped the Bruins 48-14!
Whether it was the road trip to that OU game or to his sons’ many baseball and basketball tournaments or taking in another country music concert with his dance partner for life, Lezley, Mike embraced life on this earth just as he embraced the people he loved – fully and completely with no regrets. Mike enjoyed every mile as a truck driver, logging his travels day or night, hour after hour with no complaints. He loved the smell of diesel, and yes, it was in his veins.
Mike also loved hanging out with Lezley and their families. Anything that would bring his loved ones together gave him joy – which meant he would be blessed with a bounty of joyous moments. Mike’s athleticism and sports knowledge has molded the Pumphrey boys – Connor Joseph and Cohen Alexander – into phenomenal athletes and even more amazing young men. Now sitting in the best seat in the house, the boys’ dad will always and forever be cheering for his @PumpDawg4 and @CocoBaller7.
Mike and Lezley married on June 24, 2000 – the start of their one-in-a-million journey together. As each other’s best friend, they lived, loved and laughed together each and every day. In recent years, Mike was able to join Lezley regularly for her event planning tasks. The dynamic duo teamed up to create wonderful occasions for so many local businesses and families, making even more friends along the way and showing others what it means to be a husband-and-wife team for life.
Mike was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Eugene “Gene” and Lois Katherine of Porum, Oklahoma; and his maternal grandparents, Joseph Alfonso and Emma Louise Carbonneau of Paramus, New Jersey. Left to cherish the memory of their one in a million is Mike’s beloved wife, Lezley; sons, Connor and Cohen; his parents, Lonney and Arlene Pumphrey; brother Daniel “Dan” Paul and sister-in-law Casey Pumphrey; sister JoLynn Marie and brother-in-law Tim Sheldon; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Lezley and the boys would like to thank their families and friends, as well as their baseball and basketball families, for everything they have done to provide comfort during this horrific tragedy. We are forever grateful for all the prayers, food, flowers, text messages, phone calls, cards, social media posts, love and support received as we remember and celebrate Mike’s life.
A special thank you to: Pastor Mike Espejo, Greenlawn Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, Willow Ranch and the Motor City employees for the endless amount of support.
In our sorrow, we find peace in knowing that our one-in-a-million Michael remains our Lucky Star, watching, even twinkling, from high above … and that, one day, we will all be together again.
A Truckers Last Ride
He traveled the roads in the years gone past
a life he chose and hoped it would last.
Driving all night from state-to-state
trying to get home and arriving late.
He parked his truck now,
his engine has stopped
and those who have loved him
their hearts have dropped.
He traveled every mile
with a smile and great pride
now he travels the streets of Heaven
on the Truckers Last Ride
MAY GOD RIDE WITH YOU...10-4 AND GOODBYE.