of Little Rock, AR

December 21, 1947 - August 21, 2025

Charles K. Lumpkin, Jr., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the age of 77. Charles, or ''Chuck,'' as those who knew him affectionately called him, was born on October 21, 1947, in Newport News, Virginia.

A Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Center, Charles dedicated his professional life to doing research on molecular biology, seeking answers that impacted the wellbeing of his fellow humans.

From 1970 through 1976, Charles called the University of New Mexico his home, earning a bachelor's and master's degree, before matriculating with a PhD in Population Genetics.

For the next five years, Charles poured himself into accumulating knowledge, first as a research technician with the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington, then as a postdoctoral trainee with the W. Alton Jones Cell Science Center, in Lake Placid, New York, where he also worked as an Adjunct Professor at SUNY-Plattsburg, and finally as a postdoctoral trainee with the Medical College of Virginia.

In 1981 Charles moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he worked as a research fellow for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. After a short stint as a research associate with Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Charles returned to Little Rock, working as a molecular biologist for McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, before moving on to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he took a position as an Assistant Professor with the Department of Pediatrics.

In 1993 Charles was promoted to Associate Professor within the Department of Pediatrics and served as the co-Director of the Laboratory of Limb Regeneration. In 2007, Charles was made a full Professor, a position he held up until he passed. Charles was the recipient of numerous research grants, and his peer-reviewed research was published in some of the leading science and medical journals and publications in his field.

While research dominated his professional life, Charles was a loving husband and father who cherished his regular family vacations to Disney World. He possessed a warm sense of humor and an engaging personality that touched the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing him over the years. Chuck lived a good and honest life, and the world is a lesser place without him.

Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Charles King Lumpkin, Sr., and his mother, Ida Wallace Lumpkin.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Ritter Lumpkin, his two sons, Leo Todd Lumpkin and Cooper Chance Lumpkin, and his two stepsons, Gregory Lee Miller and Christopher Glen Miller, and his grandchildren, Jace Miller, Ty Miller, Adeline Miller, Charlie Lumpkin and Asa Lumpkin. Chuck's brother, Raymond Wallace Lumpkin, also survives him.

The children grew up with the magic of his imagination and that magic has continued on to the next generation.

He was loyal, enthusiastic, and steadfastly supportive of those he loved. He thoroughly enjoyed his fantasy and horror novels and movies, his Bob Dylan, The Moody Blues and many other artists, playing his Martin guitar, driving his many convertibles over the years, and being on the beach.


The memorial service to honor him will be held on September 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow, at Chenal Roller Funeral Home, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com