Donald B. Lumpkin, 80, a lifelong New Haven resident born on September 9, 1934 to the late Elihu Lumpkin and Lillian Benford, passed away June 29, 2015 at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Donald Lumpkin graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1953. He played football during his junior and senior years. As an outstanding halfback, he helped lead the Governors to an impressive 31 – 4‑1 record during the 1951 and 1952 football seasons, a District League title in 1952 and a number two ranking in the Class A league in 1952. Donald was inducted into the Wilbur L. Cross High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. After graduation, Donald attended New York University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1957. Donald also served his country in the Army reserve for six years at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His professional career spanned forty-six years and his specialty was computer technology. He was employed at United Nuclear for twenty years in a highly secure and sensitive position. He then went on to work at Pitney Bowes as a lead systems analyst where he retired in 1999.
Throughout Donald’s life, he traveled throughout the United States, South America, South Korea, Europe, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Canada. He enjoyed being fit and attended the gym to work out regularly. He was a member of Bethel AME Zion Church in New Haven. Throughout his life he credited his mother for inspiring and motivating him with the simple motto “Keep the faith and run the Race”. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife Mary (Cureton) Lumpkin, sons Donald C. (Frances) Lumpkin of Clinton and Darwin J. (Sunghye) Lumpkin of Seoul, daughters Shawne Lumpkin ‑Latham of New Haven and Frankye Girr (Alex) of MD, brother Dudley Lumpkin of California, sister Shirley Gray of NC, 3 grandchildren and host of relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife Faye C. (Rosemond) Lumpkin and by 2 brothers Eugene and Elihu Lumpkin. A celebration of his life will take place Thursday July 9, 2015 at 11 AM at Bethel AME Church; 255 Goffe St., New Haven, CT 06511 with visitation Thursday at the church from 10 – 11 AM. Interment will be held at Beaverdale Memorial Park; New Haven, CT. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services; 1287 Chapel St. New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Lumpkin family, please visit: www.hkhfuneralservices.com
