Dr. George E. Bomar

During his life, George earned many distinguished honors, titles, and accolades, but, above all else, will be remembered for his unwavering faith, love for family, commitment to service, and lifelong dedication to improving the lives of others.

George was raised in Rock Hill and graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1952. A gifted and versatile athlete, he excelled in football and baseball, lettering two years in each sport, and was also a state runner-up in the ping pong championship. He was drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles as a catcher and later attended Clemson University on a baseball scholarship, where he served as first-string catcher during his freshman year.

He went on to graduate from the University of South Carolina in 1956 and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy. During his military service, George was named first-string guard and co-captain of the Navy football team, playing alongside All-American athletes and helping lead the team to a district championship. He was later drafted by the Los Angeles Rams and again approached by the Baltimore Orioles, opportunities he declined in an era when professional sports offered little financial security.

Following his military service, George enjoyed a successful career in business and insurance. He worked as a sports department manager for Belk Department Store, served as a district manager for State Farm Insurance, and later owned and operated the George Bomar Insurance Agency with Nationwide Insurance.

A devoted civic leader, George was deeply committed to community service, higher education, and faith-based leadership. He was an active member and Sunday School teacher at Mauldin First Baptist Church, a member of the Shriners, and served with the Mauldin Rotary Club. He also served as an elected Greenville County Councilman for 12 years, including terms as chairman, and was the first president from Greenville County of the South Carolina Association of Counties.

George dedicated 28 years of service to Greenville Technical College as a board member and was honored with the Honorary Alumni Award in 2004. The George E. Bomar Center at the college’s Brashier Campus in Simpsonville bears his name. In 1996, he received South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto.

His legacy at North Greenville University is equally profound. He served as chair of the Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund Board of Directors and as a member of NGU’s Council of Advisors. In recognition of his leadership and generosity, NGU named its School of Communication in his honor in 2005. The Trailblazer Baseball team’s home venue, George Bomar Family Stadium, was named in recognition of his leadership investment in the project, completed in early 2020.

Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., President of North Greenville University, reflected on George’s impact, stating: “George Bomar was an exemplary community servant-leader. He loved to invest in the lives of others and faithfully used his gifts as a Christ-follower and business leader to better our community in countless ways.”

George was preceded in death by his previous wife, Zana Campbell Bomar, with whom he shared nearly 39 years of marriage until her passing in January 1998. They were blessed with four daughters: Donna D'Andrea (Jim) of Fountain Inn, Terri Spears (Brian) also of Fountain Inn, Mary Lunke (Wayne) of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Karen Hawkins (Wendell) of Simpsonville.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Barbara Lassiter Bomar, of Fountain Inn. He also leaves behind the children of Barbara whom he cherished as his own, Kim Hurt (Craig) and Scott Panhorst (Kathy).

Also left to cherish George's memory are nine grandchildren, Danielle Martin (Derek), Hannah Armstrong (Barrett), Elena Gregg (Russell), Victoria Polin (Lucas), Jeffrey Spears (Hannah), Daniel Lunke (Cally), Bethany Hoilien (Caleb), Georgia Hawkins, and Zane Hawkins; and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Martha Ray of Greer, South Carolina, and Lowell Bomar of York, South Carolina, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer G. Bomar and Mildred Smith Bomar; his prior wife, Zana C. Bomar; his brother-in-law, Dan Ray; and his sister-in-law, Helen D. Bomar.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, located at 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC, 29609. A funeral service will follow in the chapel at 2:00 pm.

Following the service, George will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park with military honors at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial gifts be made to North Greenville University for the George E. Bomar School of Communication or the Zana Campbell Bomar Nursing Scholarship Fund. Links to both of these organizations can be found below.