Samuel Ray Bumgarner

December 7, 1935 – February 2, 2022

Samuel Ray Bumgarner, born in 1935 in Richwood, Ohio, entered heaven on February 2, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was educated at Richwood High School and The Ohio State University. His career in the food business began with the Kroger Company becoming successful in the corporate world. Where he made lifelong friends, several of who formed the Kroger Couples Bridge Group, friends who are like family. After leaving the Kroger Company, he began his career in the food brokerage business, representing many national companies. 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 and his Monday Golf group with treasured friends. 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 stadium and in Arizona, Sam proudly hung the Ohio State flag, he was a Buckeye fan through and through. They were long time members of Northwest United Methodist Church. Sam was a member of two bible study groups at the church and following their move to Arizona, Sam continued to participate weekly by zoom, such a blessing that was. 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. Not only was it a weekly gathering, but Sam enjoyed the golf group outings and they enjoyed many other social events, friends that 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 thorough his illness, he never gave up. He 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. A celebration of Life will be held on March 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Youth Ministry at Northwest Methodist Church, 5200 Riverside Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43220 or The House of Refuge, Attn-Lisa Rivera, 6935 E. Williams Field Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212.