Henry "Hank" Bontrager

Henry "Hank" Bontrager passed away Wednesday, August 27, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Pat and son Jon. Hank was born on October 8, 1937, to Maurice and Hannah Bontrager in Bay City, Michigan. When he was two, the family returned to his father's hometown of Shipshewana, Indiana. His sister, Patricia Ann, joined the family there. By age fourteen, he had discovered two lifelong passions, golf and adventure. That same year, he spent a summer in Key West with his Aunt Marie and Uncle Jim, a Coast Guard captain. There, he took the helm of a cutter and witnessed an armed intervention with turtle poachers. In high school, Hank played basketball and remained a devoted fan of the sport throughout his life. 

He began college at the University of Miami but soon chose to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army. Stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he trained in Guided Missile Electronics for three years. After his service, he followed his father's advice and entered sales, first encyclopedias, then insurance, before finding his niche in electronics with U.S. Electric Motors and Allice Chalmers. During this time, he married Stephanie and welcomed three sons: Douglas, Eric, and Jon. Wanting to finish his education, Hank earned his Business Management degree from Indiana University in 1974. 

That same year, he moved to Tampa, Florida, as sales manager for Tampa Armature Works, creating a program to sell and maintain motors across Central and South America. Learning Spanish at Berlitz, he traveled widely, collecting stories including a tense encounter with drug traffickers. After his first marriage ended, he was awarded custody of his sons, and together they filled their lives with golf, scuba diving, and "My Three Sons" adventures. 

In the 1980s, Hank joined TECO, selling bulk power to Disney World, the phosphate industry, and MacDill Air Force Base where he often played golf with resident generals. In 1989, he and Eric began a 30-year tradition in the Golf Week Father & Son Tournament, later joined by all "the boys". Afterwards in the clubhouse, much laughter, stories and beer flowed. That same year, he met Jill, the love of his life, marrying her in 1993. 

Hank retired in 1994 to pursue teaching, becoming a math tutor and golf coach at Chamberlain High School. Summers were spent traveling with Jill, golfing in Scotland and Ireland, touring Europe and Hawaii, exploring Canada by train, and enjoying trips through the mountains of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. They eventually settled in Mountain City, Tennessee, where Hank coached the high school golf team, competed in Senior Olympics, participated in Senior Golf tournaments and wrote poetry. He enjoyed the exercise room at the Senior Center and was forever grateful to our wonderful physical therapists at JCCH. Hank often said how thankful he was to have the many years with family, friends and Jill on "our beautiful mountain". 

Hank is survived by his beloved wife, Jill, and a deeply loved blended family; the Bontrager "boys", Douglas (Deena), Eric (Camille), and the late Jon (Gianna); Trip Stringer and Naomi (Chris) Mulkey; grandchildren Alexa Phillips, Keith (Callie) Mulkey, Corbin Stringer, Sean (Clair) Beattie, Conor Beattie, and Sara Beattie; great-grandchildren Alex and Toby Mulkey, Maeve and Brady Beattie; nieces, nephews, and many dear friends, including lifelong pal, Lori Vaughn, and golf and poker buddies. 

He will be remembered for his sharp mind, quick wit, genuine kindness, and as the Mountain Poet, a true gentleman in every sense. 

The family sends a special thank you to Amedisys Hospice and their angels Laura Comeaux, Gail Miller and Rosie Randall. A service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Mt. City, Saturday, September 13 at 1:00. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: give.michaeljfox.org or stjude.org, going toward Parkinson's or AML research.

The family of Henry “Hank” Bontrager has entrusted his care to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, Tennessee 37683.