Abner Alexander Bumgarner

Abner Alexander Bumgarner, 90, died on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Centra’s Lynchburg General Hospital after a short battle with Covid. He had been confined to a wheelchair due to arthritis, had some dementia, and other health issues over the past several years but continued to be his warm and fiesty self until his last week. His family and assisted living had protected him until early December when the virus found its way to him. His life came to an end too soon from the trickle-down effect of some people not wearing masks and not taking the pandemic seriously.

Abner was born on July 5, 1930 into the large caring family of the late Christopher A. Bumgarner and the late Rebecca Mae Grogan Bumgarner. He grew up with three sisters and seven brothers on the Bumgarner homeplace in Forest where you will find Bumgarner Drive today. Abner was predeceased by them all; sisters Essie Lee Paulett, Pansy Pearl Porter, Rebecca Mae Owens; and brothers Lonnie Elmo Bumgarner, Dallas M. Bumgarner, Marvin Clay Bumgarner, Leroy Clinton Bumgarner, Maynard Olen Bumgarner, James Simon Bumgarner, and Charles Edward Bumgarner.

While young Abner worked with his father and brothers farming, logging, saw-milling, and building until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 and served for four years. In 1952 he fell in love and married Alease Francis Layne Bumgarner. They had a long happy marriage of over 42 years that ended when Alease died suddenly in 1994. Abner worked for over 35 years and retired from Glamorgan Pipe Foundry in Lynchburg.

Abner leaves one son, the Rev. William “Bill” Bumgarner (Mary Lynne) of Lynchburg, one granddaughter, Caitlin Huntington Pinnt (Aaron), and two great- grandchildren, Jacob William Pinnt and Margaret Huntington Pinnt, all of Upland, California. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a special friend Mary Anne Hamlett and her family, all who loved him so very much.

Abner was devoted to his family, always helping where he saw need, and giving so much love as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He never met a stranger and a light shone from him that gave happiness to those around him. He was also a man of quiet but strong faith and was a member of Heritage Baptist Church.

Due to the pandemic, a service celebrating his life will occur in the future when it is safe for family and friends to gather. The burial of his ashes with Alease, and a spreading of some ashes at the Bumgarner homeplace will also occur in the future.

You may make a memorial gift to any charity in his name but the best memorial you can make is to wear your mask, live with respect for others right to life, and love God and your neighbor. That is how Abner lived.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.