Kenneth Ray Chumney

KENNETH RAY CHUMNEY, 77, of Bartlett, Tennessee died Monday, June 23, 2015 at his home. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 27 at Memphis Funeral Home, 3700 North Germantown Road, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m.

Kenneth Ray Chumney was born in 1938 to James Robert Chumney and Mary Rose (Powell) Chumney and was raised in Memphis. He attended the Memphis State College Training School through the ninth grade and in 1956 graduated from East High School where he lettered in four sports. He attended Highland Avenue Church of Christ.

Ken was united in marriage to Kerry Arnett Chumney on June 30, 1964. They established their first home in Memphis and went on to share and celebrate over 50 years of marriage until her death on November 11, 2014. Ken and Kerry had five children: Kenneth Ray Chumney, Jr., Kelly Lynne Wallace, Kathy Leigh Chumney, Kimberly Ann Simonton and Kevin Arnett Chumney.

In 1960, Ken graduated from Memphis State University where he studied Psychology and History and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. After college, he served in the United States Air Force Reserves in the area of Intelligence and worked for the United States Department of Labor as an Investigator. He later joined and spent the majority of his career with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, serving as the Operations Officer for the Social Security Administration in the Memphis area.

Ken was a loving and engaged father and grandfather and a devoted husband who always put his family first. He and Kerry logged many miles and hours following the activities, events and achievements of their children and grandchildren of whom he was very proud. Ken was an animal lover and enjoyed history, real estate, politics and sports. He was an avid basketball fan and loved and followed the Memphis State Tigers for over 70 years.

He is survived by his brother, Dr. James Robert Chumney and wife Sara, son, Kenneth Ray Chumney Jr., daughter Kelly Lynne Wallace and husband Dave, daughter Kimberly Ann Simonton and husband Lee, son Kevin Arnett Chumney and wife Rachel; eleven grandchildren: Christopher Chumney (22), Brianna Wallace (18), Josey Chumney (17), Madison Wallace (16), Daniel Wallace (15), Cole Simonton (14), Callie Simonton (14), Kent Chumney (12), Blake Chumney (9), Delaney Simonton (8) and James Chumney (8); and three nieces: Mary (Chumney) Strench, Carol Chumney and Gail (Chumney) Stephens.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Robert and Mary Rose Powell Chumney, wife Kerry Arnett Chumney, daughter Kathy Leigh Chumney, and granddaughter Emily Rose Simonton.

Remembrances may be shared online at www.memphisfuneralhome.net