Mr. John Cornelius "Jack" Bomar Sr.

John C. Bomar Obituary
John Cornelius "Jack" Bomar, Sr., retired attorney and lawmaker, died on March 15 th after an
extended illness. Born September 25 th, 1938 in Bedford County Tennessee, he was the son of
William Henry Bomar II and Ruberta Coop Bomar of Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
As a young boy on the family farm, Jack was impressed with the comings and goings of the
soldiers training for WWII army maneuvers under General George Patton, which undoubtedly
influenced his passion for public service later in life. In his job as town paper boy, he learned
hard work and commitment to his community; also, this job helped him fund his classical
education at The Webb School where he graduated with academic (cum laude) and athletic
honors in 1956. Jack then graduated from University of the South, Sewanee, with a B.A. in
history, followed by completion of his J.D. degree from Samford University.
Jack became a partner of the law firm Bomar, Shofner, Bomar, and Irion which his cousin,
James L. Bomar, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives and Lieutenant Governor,
founded. In 1970, Jack's own political aspirations led to his election to the House of
Representatives serving Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, and Moore counties as a floterial
representative, then to his election as Majority Whip of this body. In this role he sponsored
numerous pieces of legislation including being prime sponsor of bills establishing the vocational
education system in the state of Tennessee. He served on and led numerous boards and
committees including co-chair of the local Office of Economic Opportunity with Mr. Will Porter
Martin. Other close political friendships included governors Buford Ellington and Frank Clement.
In 1974 he was appointed as part-time assistant district attorney while still practicing in the law
firm, prior to becoming a full-time state prosecutor in 1982. A warrior in the court room, Jack
was praised by his peers for his electrifying cross examination skills and persuasive final
summations.
He was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to serve as a special general
sessions judge toward the end of his career.
Jack served as Senior Warden of the Episcopal Church of The Redeemer in Shelbyville. After
moving to Mooresville, he became a member of the Lewisburg First United Methodist Church.
He was a lover of land and tradition with lifelong interests in family genealogy, natural and
political history, and hunting and fishing. He and Anna Marie Wagner Bomar, his wife of 62
years, enjoyed their Shelbyville farm as well as their Mooresville Farm in Pickens Hollow, once
owned by his relatives in 1807.
He is survived by his wife Anna Marie Bomar, daughter Dr. Sara Bomar Davis (Dr. George
Davis, Ph.D., J.D.) of Brentwood, Tennessee, and son Dr. Neil (Julie) Bomar of Franklin,
Tennessee; his sister Sara Bomar Horton of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; grandchildren Anna
Vaillancourt Davis, Coleman Bomar, and Will Bomar; step grandchildren Jennifer Davis
(Morgan) Anderson, Taylor (Becky) Davis, and Kelly Davis; step great-grandchildren Luke and
Tommy Anderson, and Cooper, Hunter, and Tanner Davis.
Pallbearers include Neil Bomar, George Davis, Wesley Sellers, Mason Sellers, Randy Clark,
Bob Martin, and Shannon Cook.
Honorary Pallbearers are Arthur Bogardus and Donna Wagner, Kathy Emerson, Olivia and
James Harrell, Kathy and Mark Knight, Baker and Lisa Harrell, Liz Sellers, Samantha Sellers,
Chrisopher Horton, Larry Morphis, David Thomas, and Andrew Thomas.
Finally, the family wants to express their sincere thanks to the outstanding staff at NHC Place
Cool Springs and the Caris Hospice caregivers.
Memorials suggested by the family include Caris Hospice, Youth Town of Tennessee, and the
Lewisburg First United Methodist Church.
The funeral will be held at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel in Shelbyville, Tennessee on March 26 th at
11 am, with visitation at 10 am. Interment will immediately follow at Willow Mount Cemetery.
Reverend Brad Holliman will officiate.