Robert Allen Summers

He was a stocker at JCPenney’s and rose to the position of stockroom manager. He moved from the downtown store on Main Street, Little Rock to the new McCain Mall store when it opened in 1973. He went into sales and was a natural. After 30 years at JCPenney’s, he transferred to Dilliard’s and spent many happy years continuing to work at the mall. He sold one of the first microwaves and some of the first computers. He always loved learning new and exciting technology – even his first smartwatch this past year.

He loved coffee with his friends at McDonalds; always trading cars “for a good deal” and the ever-popular Dad Joke. He would sneak them into conversations and drop the punchline followed by his signature grin. He would confuse children by telling them “Don’t kill any dead snakes.”

He loved living on Old River Lake and fishing with his wife, Bonnie Gibbs Bolton Summers, and enjoyed many great parties, trips, and cookouts with the Gibbs family. He was promoted to Tee-Pa and Granddaddy Bob for the grands – a whole new generation of kiddos to tease and entertain.

He was a Christian man who held onto his faith and sense of humor even as he entered the Hospice Center with his friend, companion, and special love of more than 10 years, Linda Hoard, by his side.

Preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; his siblings, Mary Frances Fitch, Bill Bradley, and Dixie Murphey. He is survived by sister, Dianna Summers Porter (Mike); his daughters, Karen Reed (Dewayne), Sherrie Hamby (Blake) and Susan Thomas (Jon); Step-children Donna Bolton Dulin and Damon Bolton (Jennifer); Grandchildren: Heather Reed (Jonah) and Alex Hamby (Heather); Step-Grandchildren Bryson Dulin, Brynlee Dulin, Bralen Dulin, Devon Bolton and Berlin Bolton; and Great-grandchildren Lily Reed and Flora Hamby; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gaylon and Mary Jane Gibbs, lifelong friends Danny and Liz Goodwin and a whole host of wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews, and his church family at The Church at Willow Beach. In lieu of flowers, he asked that memorials be made to his church.

As he said upon receiving his final diagnosis, “we have some decisions to make but the big decision has already been made. I have had a good and long life.” He certainly did.

Funeral service will be at The Church at Willow Beach on Tuesday January 13, 2026 at 2:00P.M. with a visitation prior to the service at 1:00P.M.