March 28, 2024

Humphrey, Kingery inducted into Jasper County Bowling Hall of Fame

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Dave Humphrey and the late Carroll Kingery are the newest members of the Jasper County Men’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame. The two longtime Newton bowlers were inducted in a ceremony Thursday at Newton’s Cardinal Lanes.

Kingery’s Hall of Fame plaque was accepted on his behalf by his son Dustin Kingery, who is the JCBA president. Kingery was inducted under the meritorious service category.

Humphrey was inducted in the bowling ability category for his excellence in bowling achievements and for his years of service in the JCBA. Humphrey began as a member of the association’s board of directors in 1989, served as the JCBA president and the association’s manager.

Jasper County Men’s Bowling Association also present its annual bowling scholarships Thursday. Newton High senior Madison Humphrey and junior Reid Miller were the recipients. Both students were members of the Newton High School bowling teams.

“Dad would have really liked this honor,” Dustin Kingery said. “I know I appreciate the honor for him. It’s unfortunate he wasn’t here to receive it.”

Carroll Kingery died in January 2015. He was a 1954 Newton High School graduate and a 20-year veteran serving with the U.S. Navy and U.S Air Force. It was while in the Air Force serving in the Vietnam War, Kingery began bowling in Germany.

Kingery began bowling in Jasper County men’s leagues in 1977. According to his son, Kingery volunteered to set up and coordinate the Jasper County youth bowling tournament for years.

“He became the youth bowling secretary and attended many state conventions and workshops to help promote youth bowling in the county,” Dustin Kingery said. “He was the youth coach at the former T&M Center Lanes for most of the 1990s.

“My father knew it all had to start with the youth in terms of growing the sport of bowling. He worked with other bowlers to help recruit new bowlers throughout the years.”

Kingery held multiple league offices including president of the Sunday Night Mixed League and the Tuesday City League and was secretary of the Friday TenPin League.

“Dad loved the social aspect of the sport,” Dustin Kingery said.

Kingery’s career high game was a 299 — one pin from a perfect 300 — when he was 73. He had more than a dozen league championships, bowling in two to three leagues a year. He competed in many state and county tournaments and seven national bowling tournaments.

Humphrey had to have the written permission of his parents to start bowling in a men’s league. He said he was still in high school when he began league bowling.

“I started bowling a couple of Friday nights with my buddies during high school then got into league bowling,” Humphrey said. “I found out I wasn’t very good in other sports — baseball or basketball — I didn’t want to play football.”

Humphrey grew up in Des Moines, but moved to Newton in 1987.

“Once I got here in Newton, they were looking for new members for the Jasper County Men’s Association. They put me in as one of the directors and I’ve had every office since 1989,” Humphrey said. “At the time, someone serving as president of the association held the office for just a year. There was discussion about a year really wasn’t a long enough term. I was president for quite a few years.”

Humphrey, who is 63, said when he found out the association manager’s position was open, he moved into that position because it was a more active position. He said the manager is responsible for the league awards and the county tournament.

“We’re working hard to promote bowling in the county. We want the sport to have a comeback because it is a sport for all ages,” Humphrey said. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an honor and it was a complete shock for me.”

Humphrey’s high series for his career was an 806. He has bowled three perfect 300 games in his career. Humphrey is still bowling and just bowled in the senior state tournament this past weekend.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com