DR. ANTHONY MUMPHREY
October 9, 1921 - April 6, 2016
EUNICE - Funeral services will be held for Dr. Anthony Mumphrey, 94, of Eunice, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Eunice at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9. Burial will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Dr. Mumphrey, lifelong educator, WWII veteran and founding chancellor of LSU-Eunice, died Wednesday, April 6, 2016, in the comfort of his home after a short illness.
Dr. Mumphrey had numerous professional accomplishments during his 94 years, but would consider his wife of 65 years, his eight children, and his lifelong commitment to the education of American youth to be the most important achievement of his lifetime.
Dr. Mumphrey was born in St. Rose, Louisiana, on October 9, 1921, to Joseph and Lena Mumphrey. He was the youngest of six children, one brother and four sisters. The family resided in Kenner, Louisiana, where they operated a family farm growing and selling produce at the New Orleans farmers market. Dr. Mumphrey graduated from Destrehan High School in 1939. He received his Bachelor of Science and his Masters of Science degree in Vocational Agricultural Education with majors in agronomy and animal science from LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Dr. Mumphrey began his teaching career at Enon High School in 1945 after serving three years in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Campaign. He taught at Gonzales High School from 1945 to 1957 and was principal of Dutchtown High School from 1957 to 1963. He completed work on his Ph.D. in vocational agricultural education at LSU in 1956 and was appointed dean of the newly established branch of LSU in Eunice, Louisiana, in 1965. He was promoted to chancellor of the university in 1977. Dr. Mumphrey guided planning of the campus, assembled the initial faculty and staff, and developed the administrative structure and continued to lead the university until his retirement in 1988.
Dr. Mumphrey set the goal to make LSU-Eunice a comprehensive community college, serving all segments of the population in addition to traditional four-year college students. During his more than two decades as head administrator of the college, Dr. Mumphrey worked to expand the physical facilities to accommodate the growing enrollment. His early leadership is reflected today in continued success of LSU-Eunice as one of the most successful branches of the LSU system.
In addition to his tenure with LSU-Eunice, and the various high schools in Louisiana, Dr. Mumphrey has served as a consultant or chairperson of more than 50 reviewing committees of self-studies conducted by secondary schools and colleges and universities for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He represented the State of Louisiana and the State Superintendent of Education at the National Conference of Educators held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dr. Mumphrey co-authored Essential Aspects of Career Planning and Development in 1969 with a second edition published in 1977. The major purpose of the book is to assist individuals in making occupational choice preparing for and entering into the work world, adjusting to conditions of work and advancing in job responsibility. His book, as well as his tireless work within the educational field over his lifetime, reflected his belief that, “only through preparation can one approach their full potential.”
Dr. Mumphrey’s commitment to education and preparation was never more evident than in the manner he and his wife, Amelie, raised their eight children. With the lessons learned, and example of two loving parents, all have achieved and are living productive and successful lives in careers of their choosing, and have gone on to raise children of their own.
Survivors include seven children, Joseph Scott Mumphrey and his wife, Suzanne, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ray Anthony Mumphrey and his wife, Verna D., and Michael Louis Mumphrey and his wife, Kaprice, all of Baton Rouge, Robert Neil Mumphrey and his wife, Amber, of Schertz, Texas, Peggy Mumphrey Broussard of Gonzales and Robbie Anne Savoy and her husband, L.D., and Terri Fuselier and her husband, Jerry, all of Eunice; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Amelie Robert Mumphrey; his parents, Joseph and Lena Yenni Mumphrey; one daughter, Linda Mumphrey; one grandson, Tristan Mumphrey; one brother, Sam Mumphrey; and four sisters, Laura Smith, Melba Gross, Francis Bonura and Mary Kish.
Msgr. Robert Romero will officiate.
Family and friends may view the online obituary and/or sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Eunice will be in charge of arrangements.
