December 7, 1935 – February 2, 2022
Samuel Ray Bumgarner, born in 1935 in Richwood Ohio and entered heaven on February 2, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
He was educated at Richwood High School where he played on both the football and basketball teams. Sam also attended The Ohio State University. His career in the food business began with the Kroger Company where he made lifelong friends, several of who formed the Kroger Couples Bridge Group who were like family. After leaving the Kroger Company he began his career in the food brokerage business. During those years he was a member of The Columbus Chamber of Commerce, The Food Brokers Association of Columbus, and The National Food Brokers Association. He retired in 1997. Sam’s life was blessed with many opportunities for travel, Sanibel Island being a favorite.
Yearly fishing trips with son Chris were always special. In 2009 he and Ann began RV’ing and spent many journeys with daughter Lisa and son-in-law Brad, Sam’s favorite being the 2-month drive to Alaska. Pastimes included golfing where he played many years at Brookside Golf and Country Club. Sam had his Monday Golf group in Ohio, and golfing friends in Arizona. He was an avid gardener, birder and enjoyed many card groups that he and Ann were a part of. Saturdays during football season they were always at the “The Shoe” for home games. Once in Arizona, Sam proudly hung the Ohio State flag. He was a Buckeye fan through and through. Sam and Ann were long time members of Northwest United Methodist Church.
Sam was a member of two bible study groups that he was able to continue after the move to Arizona. Upon settling in Arizona, they joined Song of Life Methodist Church. There they were immediately welcomed and asked to join a Sunday bible study group, Koinonia. These Arizona friends have become family. Sam was a loving man; he loved his family, his friends and as many would say, he never met a stranger. He was always positive and happy. Even through his illness he never gave up. Sam was not a quitter. Sam was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Lucile Bumgarner and brother, John. He is survived by his loving wife Ann, son Samuel Christopher and daughter-in-law Theresa, daughter Lisa and son-in-law Brad Sherburne, granddaughter Lindsay Miller, Papa’s joy, granddaughter Amanda Sherburne, and grandson Kellen Sherburne, Dara and great grandchildren Reid and Raelyn Sherburne, brother Bill and sister-in-law Susie Bumgarner, nieces and nephews and cousins.
Celebration of Life will be held March 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home, 21809 S Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (ph)480-888-2682. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Youth Ministry at Northwest Methodist Church, 5200 Riverside Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43220 or to The House of Refuge Attn-Lisa Rivera, 6935 E. Williams Field Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212.
