Michael Ernest Bumgarner, 67, passed away May 31st, 2015 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

Born November 5th, 1947 in Charlotte, NC, Mike was the son of the late Floyd and Frieda Bumgarner. As one of Charlotte’s “West-Siders,” he graduated from Harding High School in 1966 and then went on to graduate from Davidson College in 1970, also earning a Master’s degree from UNC-Charlotte. Mike reached the rank of Captain in the United States Army Reserves and played starting scrumhalf for the Charlotte “Olde Originals” Rugby team from 1971 to 1983.

After serving 30 years with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, Mike retired in 2001 to focus on teaching a new generation as Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Mount Olive. To supplement his part-time teaching position, he played full-time golf.

Mike is preceded in death by his first wife Wendy Vaughn Bumgarner and daughter Jessica Joy Bumgarner. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Debbie Yates Bumgarner and his 2 daughters, Leslie and Katie. Or as he would say, his “Main Squeezes: Senior, Intermediate, and Junior divisions.” His family grew with the addition of a son-in-law, Zach Sorgi, in 2012.

Mike was a life-long disciple and servant of Christ. He was a member of Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church for the last 21 years where he served in many capacities, including Elder and Sunday School teacher. Mike was an avid reader and sports fanatic who would want it noted that he recorded 2-lifetime Holes-In-One. Even though he enjoyed these hobbies immensely, his greatest passion was saved for his family and many life-long friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday June 3 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on Millbrook Road from 6-8pm, with a funeral service following on Thursday at 2pm at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church on Six Forks Rd.

Donations can be made to Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The preceding appears on the Davidson College Alumni In Memoriam page.