Henry Clay Bumbalough, 73, of Sparta, passed away Dec. 17, 2025, at his residence.
Henry Clay was born June 22, 1952, in Sparta, to Lewis D. “L.D.” Bumbalough and Henry Lou Young Bumbalough.
He was known to some as Henry, to others as Clay or Henry Clay, and all others he was Dad and more importantly Pa.
At the age of 18, Henry Clay began his military career that he proudly served for 30 years and 1 day between the Army and the National Guard. He had several jobs during his lifetime. He worked at Doyle Shirt Factory, Findlay Elementary as a custodian, Sparta Spoke Factory, and as a security guard. Henry Clay loved making people laugh, even if the jokes were not that funny. His pride and joy were his children, grandkids, and great grandkids.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Bobby Joseph Margeson, Josh Marlatt; son-in-law, James Edward Margeson; brother, Thomas Bumbalough; and sister, Naomi Bumbalough Dishman.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie Bumbalough; two sons, Shoney (April) Tongate, John Bumbalough; two daughters, Brenda (Jason) Simmons, Krystal (Scottie) Bain; two stepchildren, Tyler Hutson, Kayla (Levi) Zinkhon; granddaughters, Jasmine Hylton, Shayla Bumbalough, Shayna Bumbalough, Haley Bumbalough, Brooklyn Bumbalough, Emily Bumbalough, Sarah Bain, Sophie Nichole Margeson, Marylou Margeson; grandsons, Andrew Tongate, Alex Tongate, Kaleb Tongate, Ayden Tongate, Kenneth Bain, Jayden Bumbalough, Conner Margeson, Riley Margeson, Nathaniel Margeson, Silas Simmons, Preston Seals, Nolan Zinkhon, Liam Zinkhon; brothers, David Bumbalough, James Bumbalough, Billy Bumbalough; sisters, Mary Ruth Mitchell, Henrietta Conley; six great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; mother of his children, Lora Tongate Margeson; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was 2 p.m., Dec. 21, 2025, at Hunter Funeral Home. Burial, with military honors by the Veterans Honor Guard, followed in Young Cemetery.
Hunter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
.jpg)
.jpg)
