Rodger "Bud" Sumners passed away October 17, 2007 in Clarion, Iowa where he
resided his entire life.
Roger was born in Clarion on September 6, 1931 to Harold K. and Marjorie
(Soults) Sumners. He attended Clarion schools where he graduated in 1949. He
then attended Michigan State and lettered in track three years. He was in ROTC
at Michigan State, and went into the army after graduation in 1953 as a second
heutenant. He served from 1954 until 1956.
He then returned to his hometown of Clarion to join his father, Harold, as the
third generation at Sumners Insurance Agency which had been founded by his
grandfather Harry in 1934.
On August 2, 1958 Roger married Margaret Ann Fosse at the Lutheran Church in
Radcliffe, Iowa. Margaret was an elementary school teacher in Clarion. To this
union four daughters were born, Michelle, Lisa, Lori, and Amy.
Roger was known as a community leader and an involved citizen. He served as
President of the Clarion Jaycees, Clarion Chamber of Commerce, the Clarion
Development Commission, and the Clarion Rotary Club. He was active in the Rotary
Foreign Exchange Student Program as well as being named a Paul Harris Fellow of
the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was also a member of the
Masonic Lodge and American Legion.
Roger served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank for 20 years, was
instrumental in bringing KRIT-FM to the community, a charter member of the Lake
Cornelia Improvement Association, and a member of the Church of Christ. A
personal highlight was being elected president of the Iowa Mutual Insurance
Association as well as being named Grand Marshal for the Festival in the Park
Parade in 1992.
Roger was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in his forties and as a result
became active in the Parkinson's Association and eventually took over as the
facilitator for a Parkinson's support group the met in Wright County.
He sold Sumners Insurance Agency to Bub and Bonnie Young and continued to work
until retirement. He loved watching sports, both on TV and as a spectator. He
cherished the time he spend with his family.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Margaret, four daughters, Michelle
(Doug) Kinnison of Niwot, Colorado, Lisa (Robin) Gist of Des Moines, Lori (Dan)
Block of Cedar Falls, and Amy (Jean Francios) Martini of Sunnyvale, California;
grandchildren, Alex and Zach Kinnison, Jessica Gist, Dana, Brenana, and Keaton
Block, Luc and Elise Martini and his nieces and nephews.
Those who have preceded Roger in death are his parents, Harold and Marjorie, his
sisters, Beverly Hecox and Marilyn Melhus, and one infant sister.
He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered by his family, friends, and the
community.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wright Medical Center, the Clarion Public
Library, or Clarion Church of Christ.