James Elwood Bumgardner, 80, of Dry Creek Road - Clearfield, Kentucky passed away Friday, November 24, 2006 in the Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

He was born on September 13, 1926 in Rowan County, Kentucky to the late Clyde and Minerva Epperhart Bumgardner.

Mr. Bumgardner was a retired Morehead State University employee. He had been a Morehead City Police Dispatcher, the owner and operator of Elwood's Econo Wash Laundromat and operated a Nationwide Insurance Agency. He was a United States Army Veteran having served during World War II. Elwood was a member of the Johnson First Church of God, where he had been a Board Member for many years. He was a member of the Morehead Masonic Lodge No. 654, a bloodmobile volunteer, an election officer, active in the senior citizens and he enjoyed fishing, golf and his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles Ivan Bumgardner, who was killed in action during World War II, Carl Clifford Bumgardner and an infant brother.

Survivors include his wife, Thelma Thornsberry Bumgardner, whom he married on December 1, 1977, of Clearfield, one son, James Stephen Bumgardner and his wife, Charlotte of Morehead, one step-son, Dwain Allen Wallace and his wife, Denise of Clearfield, one step-daughter, Marquetta Wallace Baber and her husband, Joe of South Charleston, West Virginia, two sisters, Nella Mae Luman and Flora Pennington both of Morehead, two grandchildren, James Andrew Bumgardner and Holley Jo Nester, six step-grandchildren, Kacie Nicole Wallace, Erin Elizabeth Wallace, Justin Harold Baber, Morgan Danielle Baber, Joey James and Brandon James and one great-granddaughter, Kyla Makenzie Bumgardner.

Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 26, 2006 at the Johnson First Church of God with Rev. Ben Furman officiating. Burial was in the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Full military rites were conducted at the graveside by Morehead American Legion Post No. 126. Masonic services were held on Saturday at 8:00 P.M. by the Morehead Masonic Lodge No. 654.

Pallbearers were James Andrew Bumgardner, Justin Harold Baber, Joe Baber, Rob Nester, Dwain Wallace, Joey James and Brandon James and honorary pallbearers were Don Litton, Dwight Clark, Ronnie Workman, Budd Stidom, Joe White, Bernard Howell, Howard Fraley and David Nutter.

Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home cared for all arrangements.