John M. Bumgarner Jr.

John Mack Bumgarner, Jr., age 79, of Lexington, South Carolina passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 18, 1944 to LaVon Cox Bumgarner and John Mack Bumgarner, Sr.

John was raised in Pittsburg, Kansas. He graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and a minor in Business. While attending Pittsburg State, he was President of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, played varsity baseball, and held various part-time jobs which left him with no debt upon graduation. He also graduated from Officers’ Candidate School as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army, where he served for three years. In addition to his service to the U.S. Army and his various part-time jobs, John also had a career in banking. He attended Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. He worked for First National Bank of South Carolina, South Carolina National Bank, and Southern National Bank, and he went on to retire from BB&T in 2002.

John married Joyce Emalyn Thompson of Spartanburg, SC on March 21, 1970. Together, they had two children, James Allen Bumgarner (Jenny) and Julie Bumgarner Mentnech (Phil). He also welcomed four perfect grandchildren, Lukas Dean Mentnech, Michael Rhett Mentnech, Sally Grace Bumgarner, and James Wesley Bumgarner.

In addition to his dedication to his career and his family, John was also involved in a variety of groups and clubs throughout his life. He was a member of several civic clubs, former President of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Chairman for the Town of Lexington Planning Commission, and a member of the Lexington Medical Center Advisory Board. He also was on the Lexington Technical School Advisory Board, was a Director of the Columbia chapter of The American Red Cross, and was Chairman for the Columbia Urban Lending Project and two Sertoma Clubs. He was also a Trustee for the Oliver Gospel Mission.

John was a member of Lexington United Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Council on Ministries. He was also a member of the Administrative Board and Chairman of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, as well as President of the Men’s Club.

John was on the Board of Directors for the Congaree Girl Scouts. He was a member of Lexington County Business and Industrial Council; a member of the Palmetto Club; Treasurer for Lexington Ministerial Association, Lexington County Easter Seal Association, and Lexington American Cancer Society; a member of The Country Club of Lexington since 1970, for which he served two terms on the Board of Directors; and a member of The Lexington Jaycees and The Palmetto Golf Club from 1998-2010. John was loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held for John at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 E Main St, Lexington, SC 29072, with a visitation to follow the service. A private burial will take place at Woodridge Memorial Park.