Carl Sommer

Carl Sommer, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, author, businessman, and lifelong servant of God, passed away after a life marked by faith, discipline, service, and an unwavering commitment to helping others—especially children—develop character, purpose, and practical life skills.

Born in 1930 in Brooklyn NY, Carl’s life was profoundly shaped at the age of 19 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. That decision became the foundation of his faith and guided every aspect of his life for more than seven decades. He faithfully attended church, lived with gratitude for God’s blessings, and often said that nothing was more important than God’s will.

During the Korean War, Carl served honorably in the United States Marine Corps. His time at Parris Island instilled in him a deep respect for discipline, perseverance, and responsibility—principles he carried into his faith, family life, teaching, and business career. He often shared that discipline was essential not only for victory in war, but also for success in life.

After his military service, he went back to his home church, Ridgewood Pentecostal Church, where he fell in love with his sweetheart, Hildegard Josenhans, and was married on May 7th, 1955. Shortly after, Carl felt called into ministry. He attended Bible school for three years and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible, later pioneering Calvary Full Gospel Church in Woodside, Queens, New York. He served there for nine and a half years in a racially diverse community while also working as a tool and die maker. Believing deeply that God loves all people, Carl welcomed everyone, ministering with humility and compassion.

Carl was a devoted father to his five children, deeply involved in nurturing their faith and character. Whether through nightly family devotions when there was no church service or through a cherished weekly family night filled with games and time together, he made his family a constant priority.

At the age of 40, Carl became a New York City public high school teacher. To earn certification, he studied at Oswego State University, City College of New York, and New York University. He taught industrial arts and later served as an Assistant Dean of Boys in a high school of more than 3,600 students, counseling students and parents alike. During these years, Carl witnessed serious shortcomings within the education system, prompting an extensive investigation into the challenges facing American schools.

His ten-year study—including a year-long unpaid leave of absence and substitute teaching in 27 schools across all five boroughs of New York City—led to his groundbreaking book,

Schools in Crisis: Training for Success or Failure? The book was widely endorsed by educators and is credited with influencing school reform in New York and beyond. Carl later appeared on national radio and television programs, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, and served on the Texas State Board of Education Review Committee.

In 1978, Carl and his family moved to Houston, Texas. There, he returned to his trade and soon became an operations manager for a major manufacturing company. After five and a half years, he founded several successful businesses, including Reliable EDM, which grew into the largest electrical discharge machining job shop of its kind in North America, as well as Advance Publishing and Digital Cornerstone, a recording and video studio. His sons later assumed leadership roles in these companies, allowing Carl to focus on writing and educational development.

Following his passion, Carl authored dozens of books across multiple genres. He is best known for the award-winning Sommer-Time Stories series—motivational children’s books, read-alongs, and videos that teach positive character traits and life skills. His works have earned numerous national awards and have been translated into several languages. His educational programs, including phonics and mathematics initiatives, continue to reach families and classrooms worldwide at SommerLearning.com.

Carl was a lifelong learner and avid reader. He exercised regularly, enjoyed swimming and fishing, and valued healthy living. He often expressed gratitude to God for his excellent health and saw his longevity as a gift to be used in service to others. Even later in life, he had no plans to retire and continued writing and developing educational materials with enthusiasm. He quietly and faithfully supported many Christian churches and ministries, sharing his resources to further God’s work.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Elise Sommer; his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Dorothy Crocoll; and his grandchild, Joey Sommer.

Carl is survived by his beloved spouse, Hildegard Sommer; his sister, Elsie Sommer; his children: Paul (Brenda) Sommer, Esther Sommer Taylor (Vince), Steven (Kim) Sommer, John (Angie) Sommer, and Philip (Vanessa) Sommer; and his 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on through his family, his faith, his businesses, and the countless lives touched by his teachings and writings.

Carl Sommer will be remembered as a man of deep faith, disciplined purpose, generous spirit, and enduring hope—someone who believed that true success is measured not by wealth alone, but by character, service, and the positive impact one leaves on others.

In all he did, Carl sought one thing above all else: to live a life pleasing to God. His faith, service, and devotion reflected his deepest hope—to walk each day with the smile of God upon his life. And as he would say to everyone here today, “The best is yet to come.”

A visitation/viewing will be held at Lindale Assembly of God, located at 503 Reid St, Houston, TX 77022, on January 23, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

The funeral service will take place at the same location on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 10:00 AM.

Burial will follow at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384, from 1:00 - 1:30 pm on January 24, 2026.