J "J.R." Arlyn Dumler

J Arlyn Dumler (J.R.), also known as “Coach,” passed away May 6, 2023, after fighting a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  J.R. was born in Ellsworth, Kansas, on December 2, 1940, and grew up in the farming community of Russell, Kansas, where he would sometimes be caught riding the oil well pumps.

J.R. attended Wichita State University on a football scholarship and was a two-time MVC Conference champ and participated in the Sun Bowl, while earning a BA and a MS in Education. This is where the love story begins.  J.R. met the love of his life, Caren Chandler, at a WSU street dance in August of 1961.  He informed his roommates that evening that he had met his future wife.  J.R. and Caren had a quick courtship: engaged in November and married on June 10, 1962.  They lived in Kansas where they raised their four daughters until they moved to Colorado in 1987 to fulfill their dreams of living in the Rocky Mountains.

J.R. was a teacher, athletic director, wrestling and football coach, and a mentor to many during his years at Derby High School and Osborne High School.  In 1977, after realizing he wasn’t going to be the next Bear Bryant, while still teaching and coaching, he became a part-time sales representative with the Franklin Life Insurance Company.  In 1979, he retired as a teacher and coach and moved to Salina, Kansas, and began working full-time with Franklin, earning many prestigious awards with the company.  J.R. may have hung up his coaching clipboard, but his love for the sport of wrestling led him to continue to wear the striped shirt and whistle for years to come.  J.R. would drive many miles between Colorado and Kansas to officiate numerous wrestling tournaments. He was chosen to officiate 18 state tournaments between the two states and was later honored in both states for his years of service and commitment to the sport. Following his retirement from wrestling officiating and financial services, J.R. and Caren returned “home” to Kansas in 2017.  

J.R. loved his family fiercely.  He was a kind, humble, loving (and lovable) husband, father and grandfather, and would stop in his tracks to do whatever was needed to support them.  Not only was J.R. a good storyteller, he was also a prankster and would often catch his family off guard, causing lots of laughter and creating fun memories.  J.R. had many hobbies and interests, including running, hunting, golfing, woodworking, burning up red ant hills with his grandkids, having golf tee races down the creek in Estes Park, and volunteering at various clubs and events.

J.R. is preceded in death by his wife, Caren, of 59 years; father, Loren Dumler; mother, Helen (Boxberger) Dumler; sister, Jennifer Parrish; mother-in-law, Dolly Chandler (John Clark); father-in-law, James Lee Chandler; brother-in-law, Vernon Chandler; and son-in-law, Bret Nimerick. J.R. is survived by his four daughters, Stacy Hamontree (Gerry) Ellsworth, Kansas; Dana Taylor (Steve) Richardson, Texas; Kim Kratzer (Andy) Marquette, Kansas; Lisa Mansfield (Bill) Niwot, Colorado; his beloved grandchildren, Nathan Hamontree (Kate); Nicole Hamontree; Kelsie Jensen (Austin); Maddie Knuth (Rachelle); Collin Duffy (Lauren Phillips); Maggie Taylor; his great-grandsons, Henry and Wesley Hamontree; and sister-in-law, Jan Chandler.

J.R.’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the loving and caring staff at Riverview Estates for the exceptional care they provided to their dear father.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 19th, at 11:00 am at the Marquette United Methodist Church in Marquette, Kansas, with a lunch reception to follow. J.R.’s service will also be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@marquetteumc8321 for those who are unable to attend the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Longmont Breakfast Optimist Club or Riverview Estates, in care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina, Kansas.

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