Obituary

G.M. Bumgarner Dies While Fishing (1960)

Final rites for Gay M. Bumgarner, 73, City, who died suddenly of a heart attack last Friday, (April 29) while occupied at his favorite sport, fishing, were conducted at 2 p.m. Monday from the McCray Funeral Home, City. The Rev. Ray E. Shears, City, was the officiating clergyman, and interment was in the local K. of P. cemetery.

Mr. Bumgarner had gone to the pond at the J.O. Bailey farm in the Newark Community Friday morning, and late that afternoon construction workers building for the Lambert family nearby still saw his car parked near the pond. One of them went to investigate and found him collapsed on the bank with his fishing rod in his right hand, apparently ready to cast, when he collapsed.

He was manager of the A. & P. Store, Clarksburg several years before retiring in 1952 and returning to his native Wirt County. Previously, he had worked for a number of years in a store in Moundsville.

Mr. Bumgarner was worshipful master of Wirt Masonic Lodge No. 82, A.F. & A.M., and belonged to the Wheeling Consistory, Valley of Wheeling Orient of W.Va., the Parkersburg Chapter of Rose Croix, and the Parkersburg Lodge of Perfection.

Mr. Bumgarner served as a Justice of the Peace here for a few years after returning here from Clarksburg.

Surviving him are a daughter, Miss Alice H. Bumgarner, Tacoma Park, Md.; a son, Orlando G. Bumgarner of the U.S.A.F., stationed at Gunther Air Force Base, Ala.; three brothers, Harry T. Bumgarner, City, Homer Bumgarner, Alexandria, Va., and Bert Bumgarner, Uniontown, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Bumgarner was preceded in death by his wife and one son.

Masonic graveside rites were conducted.