James Preston Sumner

James Preston Sumner, 81, of Opelika, Alabama and formerly of Montgomery, Alabama, went to take his place with the Lord on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. Graveside services will take place on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika, Alabama. The family will receive guests from 9:45AM until 10:45AM at Frederick-Dean Funeral home in Opelika. Mr. Sumner was born on February 9, 1933 in Burgaw, North Carolina to Samuel L. Laura (Joyce) Sumner. He served his country in the United States Navy for 3 years before entering the United States Air Force. He completed one tour in the Vietnam conflict before retiring as a TSGT in 1971. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Laura Sumner; sisters, Catherine Guthrie, Margie Boynton and Jane Blanton. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Louene Horrell; his children and their mother, Joan Kinservik; sons, Greg Sumner (Teri), Steve Sumner (Kristin); daughters, Stephanie Zappone (Mike), and Allison Yates. He is also survived by Louene’s daughters, Melanie McLennan (John) and Shannon O’Donnell (Ryan); his brothers, Sam Sumner, Carl Sumner, Robert Sumner, Graham Sumner; his sisters, Junita Davis, Gladys Hickman and Louise Lyons; his biggest pride and joy, eleven grandchildren: Zack Zappone, Daniel Klopfenstein, Anna Marshall, Lexi Zappone, J.B. Sumner, Tyler Yates, Ben Sumner, Brennan O’Donnell, Trevor Yates, John McLennan, and Brady O’Donnell; and two great grandchildren, Brantley Marshall and Colton Marshall. He spent many years cheering for them at numerous athletic events. Mr. Sumner was an avid lover of sports, including professional and college football and Braves baseball, but none more cherished than his beloved Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels basketball. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Opelika Children’s Wing.