Ernest Bumgarner

Ernest "Ernie" Bumgarner, age 91, of Sylva, passed away on Monday March 15, 2021. He was the husband of the late Milly Bumgarner and the son of the late Charlie and Lennis Bumgarner.

Mr. Bumgarner was an active member of Love's Chapel United Methodist Church. He was actively involved in the American Legion Post 104. Ernie loved playing golf, especially with his brother, Clyde. He enjoyed all types of sports and dearly loved his famiy. Ernie was a 1949 graduate of Sylva Webster High School and served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1951 until 1953. He was a patrol officer for the Sylva Police Department. Ernie moved to the Redwoods of northern California where he was a logger, tugboat operator, and timber faller. He served as a supervisor of the logging operations for fifteen years before retiring in 1991. He and Milly then moved back to the family property in Sylva.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters; Helen Johnson and Dorothy Davis; and his twin brother, Clyde Bumgarner.

Mr. Bumgarner is survived by one son; Jim Bumgarner, three grandchildren; Debra Howland, Scott Bumgarner and Melissa Bumgarner, and five great grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, L.C. Bumgarner; his niece, Nancy Williams and several other nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday, March 22, at 1:00 pm at Loves Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. John Patterson officiating.