Henry L. Bumgardner

Former Iolan Henry L. Bumgardner died at his home in Arizona on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014.
Bumgardner was born May 15, 1919, in Arkansas City, to Henry E. and Ruth (Beery) Bumgardner. He was the second of five children, outliving an older and a younger sister and a younger brother. He is survived by one younger brother, Thomas, of Coffeyville.
Henry graduated from Emporia State University and The Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. He served four years as an officer in the Air Force during World War II. He was an armaments officer on Iwo Jima at the end of the war.
Henry and his wife Charlotte (Rees) were married Oct. 5, 1941, in Emporia. They have four children, Dr. Henry L. Jr. (Debbie), Dr. Thomas A., Robert D. (Kathy), and Janet K. (Steven Bullock). They have four surviving grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Henry’s wife, Charlotte, passed away in 2008 after 66 years of marriage. He said many times, “God has blessed me with a long life, a wonderful wife who was my dearest friend and mother of our fine children.”
Henry served Iola as an optometrist for 34 years. He was a deacon and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association and Kansas Optometric Association for over 60 years.
He was a member of The Board of Examiners in Optometry. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
He was also on the Iola School Board during the pivotal years when the Bowlus Fine Arts Building was being funded and built to Thomas Bowlus’ directions.
His favorite Bible verses were: Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd …”; John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son, …”; John 4: 1-4, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me …”; and John 14:2. “In my father’s house there are many rooms …”
Funeral arrangements will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Faith Presbyterian Church, 16000 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, Ariz., 85351.
Henry wished for family and friends to not send flowers, but kindly send donations to: First Presbyterian Church, Stained Glass Windows Restoration Fund, 302 E. Madison Ave., Iola, KS 66749, www.iolapresbyterian.org.