John W. Umbaugh

Tabor City, NC 

John Wilbert Umbaugh, 83, of Tabor City, NC, died Thursday, December 29, 2022, in the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, SC. Born in DuBois PA, he was the son of the late Virgil and Twila (Shannon) Umbaugh. 

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Ray Umbaugh of the home; one son, Marty Umbaugh (Suzanne) of Wilmington, NC; two daughters, Jennifer Umbaugh (Christine) of Panama and Debbie Page (Drew) of Kernersville, NC; three grandchildren Christopher Umbaugh (Michaela), Bailey Umbaugh and Kyle Umbaugh; four great grandchildren, Summer, Jordan, Sarah, and Annelynn Umbaugh; his brother Bud Umbaugh (Bill); his sisters Nancy Brasseur, Penny Frances, and Jill Lisciandro (Dick).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Bob Umbaugh; and one sister, Judy Bowers.

John served in the U.S. Army, with most of that time spent in Germany. After the Army he started his career in the flooring industry with Armstrong World Industries Distributors, Peerless Inc., JJ Haines and then CCA Global Partners (Carpet One). Sales and management training was definitely John’s gift. Through his years of training, he touched thousands of lives and was a mentor to many. John’s seminars and training sessions made for a life of seeing the world. He traveled all 50 states in the USA, as well Australia and New Zealand. And then later while working for Eli Global, he often traveled to India and the Philippines. John is probably the only person that literally knows someone from just about everywhere. Many of the people he met through his work were not just colleagues, they became dear friends. John had a way of making people feel comfortable, putting a smile on their face with his quick wit and sense of humor and in no time had everyone laughing.

One of the main things that he loved to do when he was not working was to play golf. He had a large group of friends he went on numerous golf trips with, many guys through Carpet One left their mark on golf courses throughout the US. He also enjoyed playing on Mondays with a group of friends in Southern Pines. Golf seemed to be a common thread with so many of the people he met throughout his career. He cherished the time with his family and friends. He will be missed by so many, let us all celebrate John’s memory.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these places that meant so much to John: your local Animal shelter, your local hospice chapter, Calvary Baptist Church (Winston Salem, NC), Southern Pines Methodist Church (Southern Pines, NC), Loris Presbyterian Church (Loris, SC) or Iron Hill Baptist Church (Tabor City, NC)

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. 

A guest register is available at inmanwardfuneralhome.com.

A service of Inman Ward Funeral Home and Crematory.

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