Joe Sumners Jr.

Joe Clifford Sumners, Jr. of Seguin, Texas, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2015. He was born August 25, 1933, in Coleman, Texas. Joe served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, and he was primarily based in Germany. Following his service, Joe began working in the road boring business alongside his father, Joe Senior. Within a few years, Joe Jr., started his own company, Sumners Road Boring in Rosenberg, Texas. Sumners Road Boring Incorporated successfully took Joe across the United States for a decade.

In the early 70's, Joe then took a position as Vice President of Horizontal Holes Inc. in Houston, Texas. He left this position at the age of 55 to begin his life anew, both personally and professionally, in Seguin, Texas.
It was during this time that Joe, as he had always advised his children, started to "stop and smell the roses". He and his wife, Bobbie, began their travels around the globe, including China to see the Great Wall, Australia to dive the Great Barrier Reef and his favorite, Antarctica, where he slid down a glacier. Using his ingenuity he transformed his parka into his vehicle, and sped past a flock of penguins. Joe and his lifelong best friend, Thomas McDonald, who he knew since second grade, went on many adventures together along the Texas coast. When their children were young, he and Thomas enjoyed telling the children their mysterious and elaborate stories of treasure hunting and shipwrecks yet to be discovered.

Joe possessed a strong work ethic and an adventurous soul. He was a gentleman who was generous with his time, his wisdom, and his resources. He believed in opening doors and pulling the chair out for a woman as she sat down. He taught his children to follow course. His sense of humor and positive outlook on life attracted others to him and served him well, especially at the game of poker!

Joe was predeceased by his parents Joe (Pappy) Clifford, Sr. and Dura (Mimi) Baxter Sumners, his younger brother Jack, and sisters, Hazel Reddock, Ann (Skimp) Dittlinger, and Helen Kirby, and his wife Bobbie.

Joe is survived by his sons Joe Clifford Sumners III and David Lee Sumners, his daughter Kelly Rae Sumners, their mother Grace Cain Sumners and his grandchildren, Leigh Ann Sumners and Kyle David Sumners.

A Memorial Service will be held at Palmer Mortuary on Friday, June 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m., Army Honors will be rendered with the playing of TAPS and Chaplain Jim Merket will be the service officiant.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Texas Children's Hospital online at: https://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/donate-now or by Mail: Texas Children's Hospital Office of Development, Suite 5214, P.O. Box 300630, Houston, TX 77230-0630.

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