James W. Tumpey Sr., 81, of Bethlehem, died April 28, 2026. He was the son of the late Francis and Alma (Mast) Tumpey. He was the husband of Peggy A. (Held) Tumpey with whom he celebrated 61 years.

A graduate of Liberty HS in 1962, he worked as a kitchen orderly at St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill and then as a delivery driver for the former Alice Kay, Bethlehem, and as a laborer at the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. This was a position he held for over 35 years until Steel closed.

He was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church.

He enjoyed puzzles, attending Music Fest and dancing with Peggy, especially the polka numbers. He was a talented artist who never really recognized how good his drawings were.

In addition to his wive, he is survived by son; James W. Tumpey, Jr. and his wife Mildred of Bethlehem; daughter, Debra Bittenbender and her husband Michael of Greentown; sister-in-law, Carole Hontz of Bath; grandchildren, Tabitha Tumpey of Bethlehem, Christina Pearl and her husband Robert Moselle of Palm City, FL, Dahlia Bittenbender of Greentown, Dylan Tumpey of Bethlehem; great-grandchildren Jeremiah Torres, Julianna Torres; step grandchildren, Israel Soto, Alyssa Bittenbender, Kaleena Hess; step great-grandchildren Josh K. and Daveena H. and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Richard Tumpey and Francis Tumpey.

Contributions may be made in James’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org.