W. Lamar Bomar Sr.

(Courier News)

W. LAMAR BOMAR, SR., M.D.
AGE: 90 FORMERLY OF PLAINFIELD
W. Lamar Bomar, Sr., M.D., of Stone Mountain, GA, formerly of Plainfield, NJ, died on Friday, Nov. 26, 2010. Dr. Bomar was born in Spartanburg, SC and grew up there, as well as in Charlotte, NC, and Boston, MA. In 1942, he married Phyllis C. Durrah at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. Over the next several years, he and Phyllis were blessed with four children: Lamar, Jr., Michelle, Sharon, and Donna. In 1945, Dr. Bomar graduated from the Howard University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. He practiced with his father-in-law, Fred Durrah, M.D., in Plainfield, and later started his own practice. He provided medical services to the Plainfield, NJ community for over 55 years until his retirement on Jan 1, 2001. Dr. Bomar was one of the founding members of the Howard University Medical Alumni Association (HUMAA) in 1945. He served on HUMAA's first executive board as treasurer and was a committed Life Time Member. In 1949, Dr. Bomar joined the medical staff at Muhlenberg Hospital Center in Plainfield, and in 1951 became the first African-American physician admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine at Muhlenberg. He was a charter member of Muhlenberg's first cardiac clinic. Dr. Bomar joined the Department of Family Practice in 1957 as an assistant attending physician, and was appointed a senior attending physician in 1971. In 1997, Dr. Bomar received the Muhlenberg Foundation's William Augustus Muhlenberg Award. He also was employed by the Plainfield Public School System to provide physical examinations. Dr. Bomar received many other awards and commendations during his medical career in recognition of his unselfish service to the community, including the NAACP's Life Membership Award and Golden Merit Awards from the Medical Society of New Jersey and HUMAA. He was a Charter Fellow and past president of the American Academy of Family Practice, as well as a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice. He was also a member of the Union County Medical Society, the Medical Society of New Jersey, the American Medical Association, and the National Medical Association. During his lifetime, Dr. Bomar was a committed civil servant, devoted family man, and a dedicated family physician. He served as a role model to many and taught the younger generations, including his children, godchildren, and grandchildren, to stay prayerful, to work hard, to do their best, and to live by the Golden Rule.
A widower since 1964, Dr. Bomar is survived by his sister, Harriette Short; his children, Dr. W. Lamar Bomar, Jr. (Sue), Michelle Jones (Charles), Sharon Bomar, and Donna Bomar; his grandchildren, Kevin Jones, Dr. Stephanie Bomar, Jennifer Brose (Taylor), and Andrea Bomar; his godchildren, Cheryl Rodgers, Dr. Trent Davis, Jr., and Mimi Suggs; Sarah-Ann Shaw, a cousin who is like a sister, as well as many other beloved cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
Funeral will be Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10am at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1430 Park Ave., Plainfield. Viewing is Friday, Dec. 3, 6-9pm in the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetic Association or the American Heart Association. Arrangements are being handled by Brown's Funeral Home, Plainfield. Condolences may be expressed at brownsfuneralhome.net