Charles K. Rumbaugh

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our dearly loved Charles Kent Rumbaugh of Brownsburg, Indiana, who died at age 88 on November 3, 2024 after an unexpected cancer diagnosis.

Kent leaves behind honorary family member and long time friend and partner Jeanette Blackstone of Brownsburg, daughter Deborah Anne Gray of Columbus, son Jason Louis Rumbaugh of Greenwood, granddaughters Anna Marie, Olivia Rose and Emma Renae (Gray) of Columbus, a sister Noralee Bruskas of Denver and many nieces and nephews, along with their children who are scattered across the U.S. and Canada.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Rosemarie Catherine "Sue" Rumbaugh, sisters Madalon Reichold and Berchie Henderson, brothers Gale Rumbaugh and Jack Rumbaugh and an infant son John Christopher.

Kent was born on February 1, 1936 in Hurricane, West Virginia to Charles Franklin and Anna Elizabeth (Coleman) Rumbaugh.

In high school, Kent was a drum major where he wore a full Indian headdress and twirled a fire baton, which was very impressive.  He joined the army in 1959 and was stationed in Germany most of that time until he was discharged in 1961. He met Sue shortly thereafter and they were united in marriage on October 13, 1962.

He retired from Brehob Corporation in 2001 after 22 years. He was a member of White Lick Presbyterian Church in Avon, the Eastern Indiana Iris Society-even serving on the board and as a judge over the years, Indiana Daylily-Iris Society, Indianapolis Hosta Society, Southport Masonic Lodge #270 F & AM, the Scottish Rite and Shriners International.

Kent had many interests over the years including bird watching, genealogy, collecting butterflies, and raising and crossing irises. He even hybridized new species, registered them and named three of them after his granddaughters.

Please join the family of Kent Rumbaugh for a memorial service on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11 am at White Lick Presbyterian Church, 2530 N County Road 600 E, Avon, IN 46124. Visitation will be held an hour before the service and a graveside service with military honors and a luncheon will be held afterwards. Please RSVP for the luncheon by Monday, November 18th to 317-441-4227.

Memorial donations may be made to the Indiana Daylily-Iris Society ("IDIS") by mailing a check to Tom Bohn, 911 Briar Patch Lane, Greenwood, IN 46142; the American Iris Society Foundation ("AIS Foundation") by mailing a check to Jill Bonino, 3110 Kirkham Drive, Glendale, CA 91206; or the American Cancer Society ("ACS") by mailing a check to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.