TOPEKA, Kan. – Gary Oliver Summers, 82, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at Midland Hospice House, in Topeka, Kan. He was born on June 9, 1937, in Royal Oak, Mich., the fifth child of Leslie Levi Summers and Edith Gibson Summers.
His parents divorced and Leslie married Anne Eggermont. The family moved to a farm near Poplar Bluff, Mo. Gary graduated from Campbell High School and served a short time with the Army Reserves.
He moved with friends to Kansas City, Mo., and worked in the die making and case making printing departments at Hallmark Cards. There, he met Frances Lea Ritchie, of Lawrence, Kan. They married Jan. 9, 1960, and settled in Warren, Mich.
In late 1960, they moved to Los Angeles County, Calif., where he worked for a printer and bookmaker, the S.K. Smith Company. Their three children were born in California. In 1967, Gary was hired to set up a new cover plant operation for American Yearbook (Josten’s), and the family moved to Topeka. In 1973, the family built a home at Pomona Lake, near Vassar, Kan. They owned and operated the Osage Bowling Center, in Osage City, Kan., in the 1980s, with son Scott as manager.
Gary retired from Josten’s as cover plant production manager in June 1999. He enjoyed boating, fishing at the lake, and golfing at Lamont Hill. Gary was elected trustee for Junction Township and Vassar Precinct committeeman with the Osage County Republican Central Committee. He was a member of the Osage City Church of Christ and volunteered with Vassar Community Center activities. He enjoyed annual fishing trips with his brother Neil and nephews in Michigan, and marshalling at several PGA golf tournaments at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky. He also enjoyed college sports, all the grandchildren, good music and dancing with Frances.
In 2016, Gary and Frances moved to Topeka for his health issues. Gary was a member of Quivera Heights Church of Christ, American Legion Post 400 and the USGA.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert, Eddie, Neil and Bill, and sister-in-law, Nancy.
Gary is survived by his Mom, Anne Summers, of Troy, Mich.; his wife, Frances, of the home; three children, Gary Scott (Tracy) Summers, Sandra “Sandy” Lea (Bob) Crawford and Roger Gilbert (Lisa) Summers; 10 grandchildren, Ethan, Brenton, Emma, Rachel, Luke and Noah Summers, Bobby and Michaela Crawford and Michael and Carly Lewis, all in Kansas; two sisters, Vivian Lind, Brighton, Colo., and Joan (Jerry) White, Troy, Mich.; two brothers, Leslie Summers, Barrington, Ill., and Jerry (Lourette) Summers, Dry Ridge, Ky.; three sisters-in-law, Dolores Shinabargar, Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Charlotte Summers and Cleta Summers, of Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Quivira Heights Church of Christ, 1718 SW Crest Dr., Topeka. Committal will be at 2:30 p.m. at Vassar Cemetery with a brief graveside service. The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Capper Foundation, Church of Christ or Vassar Community Center, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
