TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jun 22, 2026

Shelbyville attorney John R. Bumpus died June 7 at the age of 76. Bumpus earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law and practiced law throughout Tennessee. He served as a lawyer and administrative judge in Upper East Tennessee and Nashville for nearly 10 years before entering private practice. Earlier in his career, Bumpus worked as an attorney for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works Branch, practicing in Kentucky and Illinois. Bumpus was licensed to practice law in Tennessee and the District of Columbia and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, multiple courts of appeals and district courts. A graveside service was held June 11 at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tennessee Baptist Children's Homes in Brentwood or to Tennessee Baptist mission offerings.