Gary Summers

Gary Oliver Summers

June 9, 1937 – Dec. 1, 2019

TOPEKA — Gary Oliver Summers died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka. He was 82.

He was born 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. They married Jan. 9, 1960 and settled in Warren, Mich. She survives of the home.

In late 1960, they moved to Los Angeles County, Calif., where he worked for a printer and bookmaker, 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) in Topeka, and the family moved to Topeka. In 1973, the family built a home at Pomona Lake, near Vassar. They owned and operated Osage Bowling Center, Osage City, in the 1980’s 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 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, Kent. Ha 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 USGA.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Robert, Eddie, Neil and Bill; and a sister-in-law, Nancy.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his Mom, Anne Summers, Troy, Mich.; 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, Broghton, Colo., and Jaon (Jerry) White, Troy, Mich.; two brothers, Leslie Summers, Barrington, Ill., and Jerry (Lourette) Summers, Dry Ridge, Kent.; three sisters-in-law, Dolores Shinabargar, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Charlotte Summers and Cleta Summers, Michigan; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at Quivera Heights Church of Christ, 1718 S.W. Crest Dr., Topeka. Committal will be at 2:30 p.m. at Vassar Cemetery with a brief graveside service. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Capper Foundation, Church of Christ or Vassar Community Center and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home.

Online condolences for the family may be left at feltnferfuneralhome.com.