Patrick Leonard Sumner

Patrick Leonard Sumner, 69, passed away late afternoon February 16, 2016. His funeral service will be 10:30 am Monday, February 22, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie. Interment will follow at Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens. Public visitation will be Sunday, February 21, 2016, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home. Patrick was born September 3, 1946, to George Claiborne Sumner and Noemie Kieffer Sumner in Ft. Worth, TX. Patrick was a soft spoken man, a gentle spirit and a love for mathematics and science. He served his country in the US Army in Vietnam, specializing in microwave radio. Once his service was complete, Patrick graduated Tarleton State University with a major in mathematics and a minor in computer science. After graduation, Patrick took a job overseas where he met his wife and best friend of 40 years, Martha Roper Sumner. They spent their life in Grand Prairie. Patrick and Martha have two daughters, Christina and Catherine, and one granddaughter, Ella. Over the course of his life, Patrick has been an active member in his church, First Baptist, where he taught fifth grade Sunday school with his wife for many years, as well as, serving as Deacon. Patrick’s professional life began with actuarial work, till he found his calling in Human Resources coordinating and facilitating employee benefits. After retirement, Patrick would occasionally pick up some contract work on pension plans. However, his zeal for knowledge led him to return to Tarleton to complete his MBA and become a member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society. In his free time, Patrick enjoyed continuing education, swimming, live theatre, old western movies, gardening and travel. Patrick’s survivors include his wife Martha Roper Sumner; eldest daughter Christina Sumner Farah and her spouse Ramzi Farah; youngest daughter Catherine Sumner Smith and her spouse Steven Smith; and their daughter, Patrick’s granddaughter, Ella Grace Smith.