Roger Summers

Roger was a proud son of Birdville, (not Haltom City.) He was the seventh of eight siblings. After being orphaned, they remained tight throughout their lives.

In 1957, he married Dale Shurbet at Robert Carr Chapel. They spent the first years of their married life in Kingsville, Texas as he completed his short stint in the Naval Air Force.

He returned to TCU, serving as editor of The Skiff before graduating with a journalism degree. He and Dale, both TCU graduates, remained lifelong Horned Frog supporters.

Roger and Dale bought Dale’s dream house in Arlington, where they lived the rest of their lives.

He was a reporter for the Arlington Citizen-Journal and then the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, winning numerous awards. He received a Ford Foundation Fellowship for journalists, working in House Majority Whip Hale Boggs’ office.

During those years, he covered topics ranging from city and county government, Senator John F. Kennedy’s visit to Arlington, the University of Texas tower shootings, tornadoes and hurricanes. He covered President and Jacqueline Kennedy’s visit to Fort Worth and the repercussions of that day’s later events. He reported on the aftermath of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination and John Connally’s trial in Washington D.C. He interviewed Jack Ruby in prison, Marguerite Oswald, and Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

Later, he was on the Editorial Board and a column writer. He wrote for the Star-Telegram for over 40 years.

He and Dale loved to travel and explored England extensively on annual trips.

After ‘retiring’ he continued to write, publishing short stories and essays. He remained an advocate for local journalism. He never passed up an opportunity to point out a poll tax. He reported the Slippery Rock football scores each week. He had a goal of learning at least one thing every day.

After Dale passed, he spent many hours holding court on his front porch, solving the world’s problems with neighbors. He always had at least one project going. At age 90, he planned out his next decade, specifying a half dozen projects for the next year. He still had much to say.

Roger encouraged everyone to spend time and energy developing their creativity. He was known throughout his life for his amazing wit and sense of humor, his incredible patience, and his devotion to family.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled Sunday, May 3 at 1:30 PM at Robert Carr Chapel, 2855 S. University Drive on the TCU campus.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dale Shurbet Summers , and five siblings: Margaret Gilmore, Earl Summers, Alden Summers, Rheata Meisenheimer, and Anna Albrecht.

He is survived by daughter LeAnne Summers, Arlington; sister Faye Ellis, Fort Worth; brother Sam Summers, Eureka Springs, AR and numerous nieces and nephews.