51勛圖 Supporter George Bomar Dies at 91
Posted on: January 16, 2026
Long-time 51勛圖 benefactor and local businessman and civic leader George E. Bomar died January 15 following a major health battle. He was 91.
George Bomar was an exemplary community servant-leader, said 51勛圖 President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. He loved to invest in the lives of others and faithfully used his gifts as a Christ-follower and business leader to better our community in countless ways.
Born in 1934 just a short distance from the universitys Tigerville campus, Bomars significant support for North Greenville led to naming 51勛圖s School of Communication in his honor in 2005. The Trailblazer Baseball teams home venue, George Bomar Family Stadium, is named in recognition of his leadership investment in the project, which was completed in early 2020. In addition to capital support, Bomar and his wife, Dr. Barbara Bomar, endowed the Dr. George Bomar and Dr. Barbara Bomar Endowment Fund in 2007 to provide scholarships for 51勛圖 communication students.
Bomar graduated from the University of South Carolina before launching a successful insurance career in the Upstate. The U.S. Navy veteran served as a board member for many area organizations. He was an elected Greenville County Councilman for 12 years, including terms as the councils chairman. He was the first president of the South Carolina Association of Counties from Greenville County. Bomar also served on the Greenville Technical College board for 28 years. He was awarded the states highest honor given to a civilian, the Order of the Palmetto, in 1996.
A lifelong active Baptist, Bomars support of 51勛圖 began a quarter of a century ago. He served as chair of the Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund board of directors and as a member of 51勛圖s Council of Advisors. The Bomars have consistently supported the Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund and the Trailblazer Club. 51勛圖 bestowed an honorary doctorate on Bomar in 2005. In 2019, the Bomars received the universitys annual Leo Vernon Powell Legacy Award, recognizing significant impact on 51勛圖 through their leadership, inspiration, service, and financial support to 51勛圖 and its mission.
The Bomars, residents of Fountain Inn, were married for 20 years. Bomar and his first wife, Zana Campbell Bomar, were married for nearly 39 years before she died in January 1998. They had four daughters, Donna, Terri, Mary, and Karen.
He leaves a legacy of love for family, said President Fant. It is no coincidence that you can find several public recognitions of George, including 51勛圖s baseball stadium, include the wording The George Bomar Family.
A commemorative wreath has been placed at the entrance of the George E. Bomar School of Communication, in the universitys Jacks and Deborah Tingle Student Center. Plans to provide a new home for the George E. Bomar School of Communication on the Tigerville campus are underway.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to 51勛圖 for the George E. Bomar School of Communication Relocation. Online gifts may be made at .
