Vernon Slade Bumgarner Jr.

Vernon Slade Bumgarner, Jr., age 91, died October 6, 2019, following a stroke. He was born in Boger City, NC, in June 1928 to Vernon Sr., and Elizabeth Warren Bumgarner. He graduated from Boger City High School in 1946. A love of airplanes led him to enlist in the USAF in 1950. Poor vision prevented him from becoming a pilot. Achieving the rank of Tech Specialist 5, he was a Sr. Photographer assigned to the Recon Technical Squadron at Shaw AFB, Sumter, SC. He was awarded Good Conduct and National Defense Service Medals. Following his honorable discharge in 1950, he returned to Charlotte and began a 35 year career with Edison Brothers Shoe Stores. He managed both Bakers Shoe Stores downtown Charlotte and at Southpark Mall. He left retail sales and began a second career as a concrete technician working for the NC DOT for 20 years. Before retiring from the DOT, he worked with crews that built I-277 and parts of I-485. He was an active member of Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church since 1970. After his retirement, he volunteered for the church delivering meals to homebound residents. He also volunteered at the Charlotte Airport Aviation Museum logging in many hours of service. He is preceeded in death by his parents, his wife Sue, his youngest daughter Donna Nussman and his sister, Joy B. Stewart all of Charlotte. He is survived by his oldest daughter, Beth Bumgarner, of Mooresville, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Heart Association. Visitation will take place at McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte on Friday, October 11, 2019 beginning at 1pm. Funeral Service will follow at 2pm at Sharon Memorial Park Mausoleum.