What is your first memory of John? Share a favorite memory you have of John. Tell us about a special moment you shared with John. Describe a time when John made you laugh or smile. What is something you will always remember about John? Talk about a shared experience you had with John. What is something you did together that you enjoyed? Describe a place or activity that reminds you of John. Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving John. What is something you learned from John?

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

John R. Bumgarner

Obituary

Guest Book

About

NC State University VCU School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University

John Bumgarner Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Dec. 15 to Dec. 16, 2006.

GREENSBORO - Dr. John R. Bumgarner, 94, passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at the FriendÕs Home in Greensboro.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 17, at Grace United Methodist Church with the Reverend Morris Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro.

Dr. Bumgarner was born in Lansing, on January 30, 1912, to J.L.A. and Maggie Bumgarner. He attended Lincoln Memorial University and was a graduate of NC State University and the Medical College of Virginia. He entered the U.S. Army Medical Corps. in 1940, and was stationed in the Philippines. He was held for three years as a prisoner of war in the Philippines and Japan. Dr. Bumgarner was honorably discharged as a Major in 1946, and awarded a bronze star for his leadership and heroism. Dr. Bumgarner served the medical profession for 30 years completing post graduate work in cardiology at Harvard University Medical School. His many contributions and achievements include founding the Greensboro Medical Associates and the Cardiac Unit at Wesley Long Hospital. For many years he was a visiting professor at the Duke University Medical School. He was a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and past president of the Greensboro Heart Association.

In his retirement, Dr. Bumgarner published four books on various topics including his personal experiences and his professional observations of the American Presidents. Dr. Bumgarner was also very active in his service to the Kiwanis Club, the YMCA, Grace United Methodist Church, and several other organizations. Amongst all of his accomplishments, Dr. Bumgarner was most proud of the love he shared with his family and friends and will be dearly missed by all.

Dr. Bumgarner is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Evelyn; son, John Reed and wife, Mary, of Falls Church, Va.; and their sons, John Oren, Robert Reed, and James Andrew; daughter, Evelyn Terry Emory and husband, Thomas of Boydton, Va.; and their daughter, Sylvan Lyn Taylor. He is also survived by one sister, Doris Hayes of Moravian Falls and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Close friends of the family will be received from 2 until 4 p.m. Saturday at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Street Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bryan Family YMCA, 501 E. Market St., Greensboro, N.C. 27401; Grace United Methodist Church, 438 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 274701; Lincoln Memorial University, Cumberland Gap Parkway, P.O. Box 2005 Harrogate, TN 37752; and to the American Heart Association, 202 Centerport Drive, Suite 100, Greensboro, N.C. 27409.

Offer condolences at www. news-record.com/nr/obits/

View All Photos

Add Photos to Memorial

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign John Bumgarner's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Recent Activity

April 26, 2018

Thomas Mikita posted to the memorial.

December 28, 2006

pam falls posted to the memorial.

December 25, 2006

Sue Trout posted to the memorial.

14 Entries

Thomas Mikita

April 26, 2018

I read Dr. Bumgarners book Parade Of The Dead with great interest and felt like through those pages was able to know him. My own father Thomas Mikita Jr. survived the Bataan Death March, Hell Ships, working in a copper mine in Japan. Appreciated his integrity in always trying to help his fellow man and comrade Perhaps along that path of war he may have helped my father survive.

pam falls

December 28, 2006

The Bumgarner family,
Dr. Bumgarner was such a special man to all who had the pleasure to know him. He was the cardiologist who took care of my grandmother in her last years and I also had the pleasure to know him thru my cousin David Sillmon. My mother Josephine Tew White was always proud to have known him and to have told him about her husband's cousin David Sillmon when he was seeking a position in Greensboro. He will be missed by all who knew him. May God continue to comfort you in the days ahead.
Pam Falls and Jo White

Sue Trout

December 25, 2006

Dear Mrs. Bumgarner and Family,

My mother was one of the Angels who worked with Dr. Bumgarner in the very early days of the Second World War, on Bata'an. She measured the value of her life's work against her heroes from Bata'an and said that if God graded on a curve, they skewed the curve to enter heaven so high that St Peter would never allow her in. It was with this knowledge that I am not worthy to even stand in the presence of men like Dr. John Bumgarner that I asked one of my writing partners to contact the Doctor for one or two telephone interviews and a written questionnaire. Dr Bumgarner graciously agreed, stating he remembered my mother and he spoke about her.

I have been truly blessed through Dr Bumgarner's memories and I will honor my mother by doing what she would want me to do: I will be keeping the legend alive and honoring one of her personal heroes, Dr John Bumgarner, one of the valiant men of Bata'an who skewed the score to enter heaven so high that an Angel could not get in ... if God graded on a curve...

It is with my deepest sympathy for your personal loss and my prayers for you to be blessed with the presence and ministry of the Comforter that I send to you and your family these words of gratitude for Dr Bumgarner’ life.

How you can show support

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Follow this page

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

December 16, 2006

Sorry I cannot be there.
Deepest sympathy,
Dixie M Freeman

Al Wright

December 15, 2006

It was a pleasure to know Dr. Bumgarner, a man who had seen the worst horrors imaginable yet who was the perfect gentleman.

Al Wright

Rev. Jeffery Clemens

December 15, 2006

I wish to express condolences for Dr. Bumgarner to his family and to the country which he served. As a friend of the family, in Chase City, Virginia I can say his family and myself are thankful for his contributions to medicine, freedom and attitude of life.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery Clemens, pastor
Centenary, U.M.C.
Chase City, Virginia.

Kenneth Johnson

December 15, 2006

I was privileged to be Dr. John's pastor from 1990-1994. He and his dear, wife, Evelyn, were most kind to my wife, Evelyn, and me. I want to share this prayer with the Bumgarner family:

ETERNAL GOD, YOU WHO GIVE US LIFE IN THIS REALM AND RECEIVE US INTO THE NEXT; GIVE COMFORT, WE PRAY, TO EVELYN AND HER FAMILY MEMBERS; THAT DURING THIS TIME OF LOSS AND DRAWING TOGETHER YOUR SPIRIT WILL BE A NEAR AND STEADY HELP; THROUGH CHRIST, WHO UNDERSTANDS OUR SORROWS AND WHO IS TOUCHED BY OUR GRIEF.AMEN

- Kenneth M. & Evelyn G. Johnson

Stephanie Stevens

December 15, 2006

I met Mr. Bumgarner in a doctor's office waiting room a couple of years ago. I volunteer for Caregivers of Rockingham County and was waiting for the woman I drove there. He struck up a conversation with me. What a delightful man. He never introduced himself, but told me a few short stories about his career. He also told me he had written several books. (I love books!) Just at that time he was called by the nurse. That is when I learned of his name. When I returned home, I looked up his name on the internet and found a book he had written, "The Parade of the Dead". I ordered two copies, one for me and the other for my mother, who lives in California. We couldn't put the book down! What an amazing man! I just wanted his family to know that he made an impact on me in just the few minutes I spoke with him. God's blessings on you and your family.

Bobbie Frazier

December 15, 2006

Our sympathies to Evelyn and the children in the loss of Dr. John. He was my doctor from 1954 until his retirement. More than that, he was always a good friend and a fellow church member.

Janice Brown

December 15, 2006

Dr. Bumgarner was a brilliant man, a dedicated cardiologist, a nurses friend. He taught us so much, EKG rhythm interpretation, heart sounds, plus he spent hours preparing the nurses for cardiac care prior to the opening of the first coronary intensive care unit at Wesley Long Hospital. Those of us who have been here through the years and had the privilege of working with him, he is remembered as one of the very last few gentlemen doctors from that generation who lead the way in coronary health care.
We loved him! His dedication to health care and to Wesley Long Community Hospital is appreciated and remembered.

Esther and Al Pickerel

December 15, 2006

Dear Bumgarner Family.
Al ans I were so sorry to hear the sad news.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Esther and Al Pickerel (neighbors on Mistletoe Dr.)

Robert Eslinger

December 15, 2006

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to you at this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Bob and Pam

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results