Joseph M. Summerlin

Joseph Martin Summerlin, born November 7,1931 in Kerens, TX, died July 30, 2024 surrounded by his family in The Woodlands, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wayman and George A, sisters Rosemary and Lilye Belle“Titter, wife Charlene and grandson Justin. Joe was the son of Hazel and George Summerlin. He was one of 5 children. He attended Reagan High School where he began his track career. He was captain of the state championship track team of 1950 and state runners-up in

1951. After graduation he went on to attend the University of Houston and walked on to the track team as a freshman.

Shortly after, he met his wife Charlene and they married on August 28,1952. He was drafted into the Army and served for a short time until his wife was involved in a car crash, while pregnant with their first child, and was granted an honorable discharge to care for his wife. Track took a backseat as they grew

their family and started a business together, but he continued to stay fit and workout through the years.

Joe and Charlene worked together for 21 years as owners and bookkeepers for District Data Services, Inc, until their retirement. Years later, while finishing a workout at the track, he was introduced to the masters races and a fire was lit inside him. He called it the “fountain of youth” as it kept him in great shape. He worked out with his team 3 days a week and was in the gym 3 days a week for strength. He went on to win over 235 medals for the 50m, 60m, 100m and 200m over his 28 year long career in competitive sprinting. 169 of those were gold medals spanning from wins in the Texas masters games to the Texas and National senior games. In 2022 he was awarded the first University of Houston Masters Track and Field Lifetime achievement award. He set at least 14 masters records. In 2003 he was inducted into the Texas Senior Games Hall of fame. He won 6 national championships, held top rankings nationally as well as world rankings. He won the “over 75” 100 meter championships at the Penn Relays 3 years in a row and was instrumental in starting the Regional Indoors at University of Houston.

After he stopped racing he moved to officiating the track meets. You could find him at the pole vault event. In his free time off the track, Joe enjoyed going to the movies, burning chicken with his family and supporting his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in any way he could. He is survived by his 3 children and their spouses , Charlotte Magruder and husband, Donn; Joseph Summerlin, Jr. and wife, Dona; David Summerlin and wife, Gayla. 6 grandchildren , Allison Richardson and husband, Monte, Nathan Summerlin, John Magruder and wife, Tyan , Lindsay Munson and husband, BJ, Sean Summerlin, Sarah Summerlin Steele and Leanne Pope and husband, Jake. 15 great grandchildren Mary Elizabeth, Hayden, Phillip, Ella, Preslyn, Jack, Cate, Cheyenne, JJ, Liam, Rivan, Mikaela, Boston, Lucas, and Viviana.

A funeral service for Joseph will be held Friday, August 2, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX 77055.