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.
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11 Condolence(s)
The Heck Family
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Dear Suzanne and family,
Although we cannot be there in person, we share in your grief on this very sad day. We will be thinking of all of you and hoping that with each passing day, the sadness will fade, but that the memory of Chuck will live on in your hearts and minds. Much love from Amy, Patrick, Noah & Emilie
Linda Price Self
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Suzanne,
What an incredible eulogy! You two must have made such a dynamic pair. While I am sorry for your incredible loss, I am thrilled you found a wonderful partner to share your life with.
Karl Riabowol
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Dear Suzanne,
My deepest condolences on your and your family's loss of a fine man, husband and father. Before you two met I was a graduate student in the lab that Chuck was a Postdoctoral fellow in, and so I knew him quite well and very much enjoyed his company. I echo the comments of John Gill (we were all in the same lab at about the same time) regarding his enthusiasm for both helping his fellow man in the form of biomedical science, his affable character and his passion for some cool (his guitar playing) and crazy (those movies he always wanted to drag us to) things in life. I am very sad to hear of his passing, but he did leave a positive marks on the world in very many ways and will be missed by many who knew him along the way.
-Karl.
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Lisa Jones Black
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Suzanne and Cooper,
I am so so sorry for your loss. Our love to you and your family. Lisa, David, Taylor and Kathleen Black
Michele Moss
Saturday, August 30, 2025
I worked for years with Chuck on the Department of Pediatrics Promotion and Tenure Committee. He was delightful to work with. He was fair and knowledgeable about what it took to be a good scientist deserving of promotion. He had a great sense of humor and positive outlook. I have missed him the last several years since he left the committee. He was simply a good guy. My sympathy to all who loved him.
John Giblin, MD
Friday, August 29, 2025
Dear Suzanne,
While I never met Chuck, I have known you as a dear and trusted friend for many years. It breaks my heart to learn of your beloved husband’s passing. As a pediatrician myself, Chuck sounds like a giant among his peers, a champion for all children, and a beautiful and free spirited soul. He was obviously your person, a man blessed to have found great love from the incredible lady I know you to be. As noted above, I cannot picture you without immediately picturing your lovely smile. Suzanne, you and your precious children will be in my thoughts and prayers as you move bravely through this difficult time of transition without Chuck. Sending you much love today my beautiful friend. John
Scott Emerson
Friday, August 29, 2025
Suzanne. I am so very sorry for your loss. While I never had the pleasure of knowing Charles, his bio shows what an outstanding, amazing man he was. I am rarely at a loss for words, but I hope you and your family find solace in the wonderful, precious memories you wìll hold forever. Scott Emerson
John McGill
Friday, August 29, 2025
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague Chuck Lumpkin. I had such a great post-doctoral experience at UAMS, in no short part due to my association with Dr. Lumpkin. He was a one of a kind in researcher (with a most vivid imagination!) and such a warm wonderful human being. When I first met him he was literally in possession of his prized Martin guitar!! He never ceased to amaze me with his scientific knowledge and at the same time he was so down to earth you would hardly know this man was an accomplished academician! June 25, 1982 I was coming back to the lab from lunch only to be met by Chuck, Richard Jones, Mario Houde and Karl Riabowol and they said we need to go quickly!! We jumped in Chuck's small truck (half of us in the truck bed) as Chuck raced us across town. Finally we ended up in a shopping center and all of us ran inside to the movie theater (remember this is the middle of the day - all of us AWOL from our laboratory duties!). What was the nature of this excitement It was opening day of the movie "Blade Runner!" So there we were, watching the day one first showing of Blade Runner!! The movie even had a molecular biologist! Such an event never occurred for the rest of my professional research and clinical career! This was my friend Chuck and thanks to him I have so many wonderful memories!
Debbie Neisinger (DA)
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Suzanne I can only remember your smile when I think of you. I can’t imagine what you feel now. I am here on the other end of an email if you need to get away or just rant to someone. DA is just a tap away. Giving you permission to feel all the feels. I am sorry for your great loss.
Debbie (Simons) Neisinger
Patty Waddell
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Now rest, dear Chuck, hope it’s on a beautiful heavenly beach with plenty to read and folks to visit with. Peace and love to the family.
Betty Stewart
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Suzanne l am so so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. I will continually pray for you and your family.
Love, Betty