Harry Bernard Gumby

Harry Bernard Gumby was born July 1, 1948, in Columbus, Ohio to Harry Lester Gumby, and Doris Carroll Gumby at Lockbourne Air Force Base.   Harry Bernard (Bernie) was the second child born in this family.  Because he was the son of a Chief Master Sargent in the Air Force, Harry would live in many places.  He attended grade school in San Antonio, TX up to the 7th grade, and grades 7-10th in Honolulu, HI.  In 1964, the family was stationed at Richards Gebaur Air Force Base MO.  Harry attended Belton High School where he played varsity football and would graduate from high school.

In 1964 the family joined Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Wallace S. Hartsfield.  Harry, along with his family, was an active member who gained relationships that would last for many years. Before his father retired from the Air Force, the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri.

Harry Gumby began working for Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) in 1969.  He later attended and graduated from the Kansas City Regional Police Academy, and would serve as a reserve police officer for 10 years while simultaneously working for KCP&L.  He retired from KCP&L due to health conditions in 2001.

Harry met and married Juliet Elizabeth (Clarke) in March of 1984   The marriage lasted thirty-seven years until his death.  Harry and Juliet (Julie) shared many common interests—especially their love of travel.  He and Julie traveled to various places, including her homeland of Jamaica, where Harry discovered his love for the islands.  Their bond was a strong one and created a blended family for nearly 38 years consisting of four children LeRoy, Lisa, Timothy, Kimberly, and eleven grandchildren.

Harry, also, had a great love of motorcycle riding and its community.   He and others founded the United Brotherhood Motorcycle Club in 1982, where he would serve as the president.  He would travel to the annual roundups held all over the country forming relationships with other bikers that would last for many years.  He was known across the biker community as “Harry O.”  In 1998, he founded the God’s Wheels ministry and motorcycle club.  God’s Wheels was a combination of Harry’s passions: his love for God and for the relationships of the motorcycle community.  Through their ministry and his ministry under the Foursquare Church, Harry and God’s Wheels would provide food and clothing for the neighborhoods of inner Kansas City for several years.

Harry had great faith in God and a love for ministry.  While his ministry did not include being in the pulpit, it would touch many lives.  He became an ordained minister in the Foursquare Church in 2018.  Both Harry and Julie were also active members of Sheffield Assembly Church of Kansas City for many years.

Harry is preceded in death by his parents, Harry & Doris Gumby; and his son, LeRoy Antonio (Rat) Johnson.

Harry leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife, Juliet Gumby; his children: Lisa (Derrick) Williams, Timothy (Stephenaé), and Kimberly Johnson; twelve grandchildren: DeCarra Williams, Sharaé Robinson, Christian Johnson, Steven (Aareyona) Gumby, Aaron Williams, Brooklynn Gumby, James Trigg, Gerald Robinson III, Joshua Trigg, Jacob Trigg, George Gumby, and Summer Robinson; two great-granddaughters: Samaria and Camari; three sisters: Brenda (Bobby) Gines, Rosalind (James) Bauchum, and Arvetta (Thomas) Prewitt; his beloved mother-in-law, Leonie Clarke; brothers and sisters-in-law: Albert (Mertibel) Ducasse, Marlene (Dale) Waul, Jennifer (Claude) Blaufox, David (Sandra) Clarke, and Clifford (Vera) Clarke; and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.