Bobby Ray Bumgarner, 62, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Monday, April 30, 2018 at Gaston Memorial Hospital. He was born in North Wilkesboro, NC on November 1, 1955 to the late, Henry Ray Bumgarner and Helen Wiles Bumgarner. He attended North Mecklenburg High School and enlisted in the Marine Corps following graduation. While in the Marines, Bobby worked as a Bulk Fuelman, and received the Rifle Marksman Badge and the National Defense Service Medal. He turned his love of fixing cars and trucks into a lifelong career of being a diesel mechanic, and worked for some time with his brother at Paw Creek Truck and Auto. Bobby loved Nascar and traveling to the beach.
In 1976, Bobby married, and together with his wife, Vonnie, had 2 children, Heather and Amanda, whom he loved very much. They divorced in 1986; Bobby is preceded in death by his second wife, Jeannie Spargo. He is survived by his long-time companion, Donna Wyatt.
Bobby is preceded in death by his father, Henry Ray Bumgarner; his grandparents, Grace Florence Holland, Lee Dock Bumgarner, Marvin Theodore Wiles and Betty Pauline Benton Bumgarner; his nephews, Marvin “Bubba” Bumgarner and Anthony "Tony" Thompson; brother-in-law, Joe Ray "Joey" Thompson, Jr. and his son-in-law, Lee Cornwell.
Bobby is survived his two daughters, Heather Bowman and Amanda Cornwell; his mother, Helen Wiles Bumgarner; sisters, Janet (Greg) Kopsch, Phyllis (Paul) Merritt, Rena Thompson; brother, Marvin (Kim) Bumgarner, Sr.; his grandchildren, Chloe Bowman, Calvin Bowman, Kenedee Bowman, Noah Cornwell, and Madilyn Cornwell, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 3 at 10:00 am in the Paul Helton Chapel of Forest Lawn West Funeral Home. There will be a graveside ceremony immediately following in Forest Lawn West Cemetery, officiated by Dr. David Turner of Durham Memorial Church at 11:00am.
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