John Howard Summey

John passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus on January 3, 2026. He was born on November 28, 1949, in Gastonia, North Carolina, to the late Charles Lester Summey and Mary Nola Rector Summey.

John was a graduate of Ashley High School in Gastonia, North Carolina and Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He dedicated his professional life to education, serving within the North Carolina Community College system and at North Carolina State University.

John’s faith and trust in Christ Jesus as his Savior was the foundation and mission of his life. He faithfully served as a Deacon and taught the Adult Men’s Sunday School class at Mountain Grove Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina. He was a current member of The Shepherd’s Church in Cary, North Carolina.

John dearly loved his family and was a devoted husband and loving father. Though he will be deeply missed, his family finds comfort in the promise of reunion in the presence of God through their faith and their trust in God’s promises and belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda Stafford Summey; sons, Michael Summey, David Summey and wife, Stephanie; brother, James L. Summey and wife, Doris; many beloved nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends and guests on Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Apex Funeral Home with a memorial service to immediately follow. Refreshments will be served after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Shepherd’s Church, 6051 Tryon Road, Cary, North Carolina 27518, or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared below within "Add a Memory" for the Summey family.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14: 1-3