Aurora "Rose" Bumgarner

A prayer service and time of remembrance will be held on Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM in the chapel of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery with military honors.

Aurora was born on November 14, 1938, in Elgin, Texas. She was one of eight children born to the late Manuel and Manuela (Hernandez) Vasquez. She grew up in a migrant farming family and lived numerous places in Texas and around the country. She was always ready for life’s next challenge and in 1968 joined the United States Army to serve her country and create a better life for herself and her children. She served on numerous bases stateside and in Germany. While serving in Canyon, Texas as a recruiter she met her late husband Billy Jack Bumgarner. They married February 15, 1980 in Clovis, New Mexico. She retired from the Army in 1990 while stationed at MacDill in Tampa, Florida.

Aurora owned and operated the Crystal Ballroom in Abilene for several years. She also enjoyed playing games of chance. She especially enjoyed BINGO and made several trips to play. She was also creative and created beautiful embroidery work. She was a savvy businesswoman and enjoyed getting a good deal. Aurora will be remembered for resilience and fierce independence.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Billy Jack Bumgarner; daughter, Margie Martinez; siblings, Frank Vasquez and Beatrice Olvera.

She is survived by her son, Steve Rudolph Peraza and his wife, Pam; grandchildren, Michael Martinez, Steven R. Peraza, Christina Peraza, and Jessica R. Peraza; 2 great-grandchildren; brothers, Paul and Elizabeth Vasquez, Jessie Vasquez, Andrew and Janie Vasquez and Manuel Vasquez; sister, Janie Vasquez; numerous nieces and nephews.