Thomas E. Bumgardner was a man with many gifts. From his youngest years to his eldest, he impacted lives with his intelligence, genuine love of others and his quick wit. Whether you sat down with him once or you were blessed to spend countless days by his side, you remember your moments with Tom Bumgardner.
Perhaps you first encountered Tom as a spunky young kid in Charleston, West Virginia, where he was born on August 5, 1929. Growing up in Kanawha City, Tom went on to attend Charleston High School, Morris Harvey College and graduated West Virginia University in 1956
An avid athlete and sports fan, Tom played basketball for and went on to serve as radio announcer for the Morris Harvey Golden Eagles. (now University of Charleston) Does “Mercy, Mercy” ring a bell? The token phrase was a Tom go-to in the midst of an exciting play.
A proud veteran, Tom served his country as a soldier in the United States Army. Just before his service, he met a beautiful redhead from Red Sulpher Springs, West Virginia: Miss Betty Lou Canterbury. He somehow convinced her to be his wife and they shared a blessed 63 years of marriage.
Tom’s passions were endless. He went on to work as a school teacher and independent insurance agent for Erie Insurance. He served as chairman of the Textbook Review Committee during the Kanawha County textbook controversy and was a performing member of the Charleston Light Opera guild. He loved writing, golf, spending time with his grandchildren, food and teaching. He was a lifelong learner, always looking to challenge himself and wrap his mind around something new and exciting. He was also not a man you wanted to get stuck playing a game of hearts against…he would always beat you, no matter how good you thought you were.
He was an active member of Peterstown Missionary Baptist Church who loved to sing in the choir and work with the “apple butter crew.”
Tom, 85-years-old, went to be with the Lord on February 5 at the Veterans Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends, but now sings joyfully in Heaven.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; brother, Doug; son, Jeff and daughter-in-law, Susan; daughter, Myra; and his grandchildren Leigh Anne Macel, Matthew Thomas, Betty Katherine, Michael Canterbury, and Goddaughter Denise Loveday-Kane. He was preceded in death by his mother, Macel; father, Stanley; and sister, June.
Tom donated his body to WVU medical science research and will later be cremated. A service will be held in remembrance of Tom on Saturday, February 14 at the Peterstown Missionary Baptist Church in Peterstown, West Virginia. Tom’s family would like to invite friends for a visitation at 11:00am followed by a service at 12:00pm.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Tom’s memory to: Peterstown Missionary Baptist Church, Parsonage Fund, 111 Market Street, Peterstown, West Virginia, 24963.



















































































To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas E. "Tom" Bumgardner, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.