Robert "Bob" E. Jumper, Jr.

Robert “Bob” E. Jumper, Jr. 74 of Lancaster, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

He was a proud Vietnam veteran where he served as a Staff Sargent in the US Air Force.  During his time in Vietnam he was part of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service where he flew on the HH-53 Jolly Green Giant.  Bob also was on the team of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS) where personnel were on alert around the world to support the Apollo 7 manned space flight. The ARRS, which also furnished helicopter support during the launch at Cape Kennedy, provided similar service during the Mercury and Gemini series.

Bob was a truck driver for over 40 years with the later years driving for Select Transportation Inc. where he retired.

He was a lover of life, people and never knew a stranger.  Bob served on the color guard for the State of Ohio Governor, was past Ohio President of Vietnam Veterans of America, Pickerington VFW Post, AmVets, and American Legion Post #11.  He was the Chairman for the Tribute to Our Hero’s honoring local veterans and first responders, raised money for the Wounded Warrior’s Project, loved to travel, Mustang cars, OSU Football and very dedicated to his family and folks he met.

Bob is survived by his wife of seven years, Cathy Jumper; son, Louis (Jamie) Jumper of Carroll; grandchildren, Troy Jumper, Katie Jumper and Sunshine Stevens; great grandchildren, Jackson, Kaynan, Hunter, Preston and Rayne; sisters, Debbie (Andy) Lamb of Lancaster and Donna Hague of Baltimore; brother, Robert “Bing” Jumper of Binghamton, NY; nieces, nephews, cousins, and feline companions, Three, Two, Fluff, Marty, Gimpers and Midge.

He was preceded in death by his son, Bobby Jumper, III, parents, Bob and Betty Jumper, infant brother, Joseph Jumper and best friend and mentor Joe Barney.

A private funeral service will be held in the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, LANCASTER, OHIO with Pastor Steve Rauch officiating. Burial will be held in Union Evangelical Cemetery, Baltimore, Ohio with the Lancaster Veteran Burial Detail conducting military rites. Family and friends are welcome to come to the Mill Event Center for a Celebration of Life from 5-8 p.m. Monday, October 23, 2023.

Memorial gifts may be given to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 in his name.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guestbook, please visit www.funeralhome.com.