Obituary of Clarke Bumgarner

Coffeyville - Dr. Benton Clarke Bumgarner, D.C., 79, a longtime Coffeyville resident passed away Friday, March 16, 2012 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 13, 1932 at Pittsburg, KS, to Benton James "Jim" and Mary (Clarke) Bumgarner. Clarke spent his early years in Pittsburg and Joplin, MO, moving to Coffeyville with his family when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Field Kindley High School, Coffeyville Community College and attended the University of Kansas before attending and graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. He was a United States Army veteran. On January 4, 1953 he married Joan Dorsey at Coffeyville. Following their marriage they made their home in Davenport, IA while Clarke completed his education at Palmer College of Chiropractic. After graduating they returned to Coffeyville where he established and operated his chiropractic practice for 50 years. He was a member of the International Chiropractic Association, and the Kansas Chiropractic Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and Elder. He was very active in the community serving as president of the Jaycees, Lions Club, and Rotary Club. He received Rotary's highest honor, the Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of Keystone Masonic Lodge, #102 A.F. & A.M., Mirza Temple in Pittsburg. He was well-known as the Voice of Field Kindley High School and Coffeyville Red Ravens sporting events on KGGF Radio Station for many years. He was the founding Chairman of the Jayhawk Bowl, a founding member of SEK Mental Health (now Four County Mental Health), and sponsor of CCC's Wayne Hittle Award for Outstanding Coffeyville Red Raven Offensive Lineman. He and Joan enjoyed their association with the Dept. 56 Village Collectors Club. His wife preceded him in death on May 13, 2010. Survivors include three daughters, Diane Gorman of Pleasant Hill, MO, Julie Kuehn of Coffeyville, and Mary Ann Baker and husband Greg of Crofton, MD; one son, Dr. David Bumgarner, D.C. and wife Lynn of Coffeyville; two sisters, Marilyn (Dick) Wise of New Brighton, MN, and Shirley (Gordon) Huggins, of Parsons, KS; eighteen grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Diane Massey officiating. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park in Coffeyville. Friends may call on Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, after which time the casket will be closed. The family suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church, or CCC's Wayne Hittle Trophy Award Fund. Contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.