Russel Carl Bumgardner, age 77, of Peel Tree, WV, died Sunday, March 19, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born January 22, 1946, in Peeltree, a son of the late Chester and Zita Crouse Bumgardner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Danielle Sanders; three sisters, Janeen Bumgardner, Tula Malcolm and Rebecca Betler and his brother, Charles Ray Bumgardner.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sandy Bumgardner of Peeltree; two daughters, Tammy Currence and husband John of Buckhannon, WV and Jan Samples and husband Ron of Peeltree, WV, one son, Russel “Rusty” Bumgardner, II of Peeltree, WV; four granddaughters, Shannon Sanders of Tumwater, WA, Jessi Howes of Buckhannon, Alexis Wright of Buckhannon and Kylie Bumgardner of Clarksburg, WV; five grandsons, Cam Currence of Buckhannon, Ryan McAtee of Beckley, WV, Corey Boyles and Brie of Peeltree, Colby Boyles of Peeltree Zachary Samples of Zelienople, PA and Tristan Bumgardner of Clarksburg; two great-granddaughters, Lynleigh Wright and Hinley Wilfong both of Buckhannon; seven great-grandsons, Levi & Lucas Howes, Anderson Currence, Wyatt Wright and Mason Wilfong all of Buckhannon and William Linkous and Owen Sanders both of Tumwater, WA; Two brothers-in-law, Arthur Malcolm, Sr. and Bill Betler both of Clarksburg; several nieces, nephews and cousins and his beloved dog Oakley.
Russel was a Methodist by faith and his family was his first love. He was lovingly known by his grandkids as the donut man as he always brought them their favorite donuts when he visited. A machine operator by trade at Union Carbide where he retired from.
He was a farmer at heart and loved farming, but only if it was done his way. Russel enjoyed his hunting trips out West to Colorado and Wyoming so much, he went at least 27 years. He was an avid hunter and horseback rider. He was Vietnam Veteran serving in the U. S. Army and a member of the Beech Mountain Sportsman’s Club, Army Otter-Caribou Association, a lifetime member of the Moose International, National Rifle Association, Little Kanawha Trail Riders Club and a Charter Member of the Johnston Lion’s Club.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the VA Hospital and Ruby Memorial Hospital staff and WVU Hospice.
In honoring Russel’s wishes, he will be cremated.
A Celebration of Life will be held March 31, 2023, from 5:30-7:30 at the Warren District Community Building 70 Hacker Creek Rd, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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