Benjamin George Sumner

Ben is survived by his wife of 29 years, Vicki Sumner, and his three children Candace Hoecker (Ross), Bradford Sumner (Lisa) and Stuart Sumner (Kristy).

He will be forever remembered by his nine grandchildren, Dane, Kaylee, Jacob, Codee, Vanessa, Benjamin, Abby, Kendall, and Jacie, along with his seven greatgrandchildren. Ben was predeceased by his mother Sadye, father John, and his three older brothers, John, William, and Chester.

Upon graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army just before the Korean War ended and served in Germany. At the completion of his service, Ben joined his parents and older brother John in the Los Angeles area. He attended Compton College and then transferred to Cal State Long Beach where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Ben later completed the Executive Program in Business Management at UCLA.

Ben’s successful career began at Arthur Anderson & Co. as a field accountant, where he flourished and met the best friends of his life. He later became a CPA and went on to work as the CFO for various companies including Wham-O, Judy’s, and The Daily Grill. He retired in 2003. He married Barbara Bray in 1960 and they had three children together. They lived in Los Angeles, Tujunga, Glendale, and Malibou Lake, until they divorced in 1978.

In 1996, Ben married Vicki Kallunki. They have lived happily together in Malibou Lake and Toluca Lake. They enjoyed worship at church, traveled to many locations around the globe, and spent time with great longtime friends and family.

Ben loved watching and playing sports, and camping. His biggest passion was by far his family. He would do anything to attend a family event such as a holiday gathering, birthday celebration, graduation, wedding, birth, or watching a grandkid’s sporting event. In his final days, his #1 request was to attend an annual family reunion in Palm Springs. His wish came true as he was able to attend the reunion and be showered with love from the entire extended family with an added early 90th birthday cake and celebration.

Ben was humble, honest, loving, witty, selfless, and devoted. He was cherished by all who knew him and his memory will live on forever.

Anyone wishing to donate in Ben’s memory may do so to Legacy City Church, P.O. Box 1793 Studio City, CA 91604 with a notation of “Ben Sumner Memorial.”