Chester Bambarger

Chester Edwin Bambarger EUTAW | Chester Edwin Bambarger, age 75, of Eutaw, Ala., died Sunday, November 8, 2015, at home. He was born on May 19, 1940 in Union, Ala. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Thomas and Fannie Bell Spencer Bambarger. Survivors include his children, Heath Bambarger (Chasity), Philip Bambarger and Adam Bambarger; grandchildren, Bradley Bambarger, Blaine Bambarger, Mary Kathyrn Bambarger and Preston Henderson; sister, Linda Bambarger Wheat; niece, Melinda Henry Oates (James); great-nephew, Jeff Oates (Katie); and great-niece, Alexandria Oates. Chester came to know Christ at an early age at the Union Christian Church in Eutaw, Ala. After moving to Northport, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Northport, Ala., where he served the Lord for many years and raised his family. Chester was born in Union, Alabama. After graduating from Shelton State trade school, Chester started working for Jack Yarbrough Motor Company in Eutaw, Ala., where he started his wrecker career. He worked there for three years, then went to work for Derby Chevrolet in Eutaw, Ala. where he stayed until he moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala. There he went to work for Tuscaloosa Motor Company, where he specialized in frame and front end work. In 1970, while still working at Tuscaloosa Motor Company, Chester decided to get into car racing as a hobby. He had a 1957 Chevrolet race car and competed on the stock car circuit. Chester and his team ran the race car throughout the southeast until the racing circuit changed its policies and required the older cars to have more equipment on them. In November of 1972, he went into business for himself. He bought three wreckers and rented the old Tuscaloosa International Building to operate his very first company. In 1980, Chester was instrumental in forming the Alabama Towing Association. The Association is made up of all the wrecker services in Alabama. During the initial set up of the organization, he was elected 1st Vice-President by his peers. Within a year, he was elected President of the organization. He served as President for six years and served on the board for many years. In 1980, Chester moved his business to a new location and made his business even bigger. He expanded his shop so that he could accommodate all of the following: a front end and frame shop for cars and heavy-duty trucks, a car and truck body shop, and sixteen wreckers, which ranges in size from small to large enough to tow an eighteen-wheeler truck. Chester's company was one of the largest wrecker services in the City of Tuscaloosa and in West Alabama. After retiring, he returned to Greene County and lived on the farm that he grew up on along with his sister. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers and support provided that allowed him to spend his last years at his home. Caregivers were Jane Lavender Cables, Jo Jones, Zettie Cameron, Willie Brunson, Bud Hughes, Mabelle Rice, Virginia Holly and Tameka Johnson. The family would like to thank Dr. John Summerford and staff, Dr. Daniel Potts, Dr. Thomas Emig, Dr. William Hill and Dr. Wesley Spruill. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 12, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2015, at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South with Rev. Jerry Croft and Rev. Jeff Oates officiating. Burial will follow at Union Christian Church Cemetery in Eutaw, Ala. Pallbearers will be Larry Englebert, George Sam Henderson, Tommy Langham, Bob Martin, William Bambarger, Robert Turner, Jimmy Black, James Wilson, Carey Free and James A. Oates. Honorary pallbearers are Luther Morrison, Beverly Spencer, JD Spencer, Charles McAteer, David Hollingsworth, Willie Rogers, Melvin Herndon, Murray Ash, Buddy James, Buddy Latham, Charles Swanson, Paul Kiker, C.P. Winters, Fred Daniel and all past and current employees of Bambarger Wrecker Service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Union Christian Church Cemetery Fund, 3139 County Road 211, Eutaw, AL 35462 or Hospice of West Alabama.