John T. Summers (J.T.)

J. T. was born in Lincoln, Missouri on November 14, 1939. He grew up in Windsor, Missouri and later lived in Raytown, Missouri and Lee’s Summit, Missouri. J.T. enlisted in the United States Army in 1957 and was stationed in Berlin, Germany where he met his wife, Ingrid. J.T.’s duty there involved guarding World War II prisoners. He was honorably discharged in 1959.

J.T. worked for Caterpillar, Inc. at their parts distribution plant in Kansas City, Missouri for over 30 years as Senior Clerk, and retired from there in 2000. While he worked there full time, he also had his own cleaning business and spent years cleaning several bars in the Raytown, Missouri area, as well as cleaning carpets and homes. J.T. could most often be found doing work of some type, and was rarely idle during his adult life prior to being diagnosed with esophageal cancer approximately 15 years prior to his death. J.T. also enjoyed spending time with his family and cats, fishing, watching Kansas City Royals Baseball, and Kansas City Chiefs Football. J.T. was well known for his stories and his “way with words” before cancer took the ability to speak from him. His family and friends can all share stories of his funny pronunciations. After his cancer surgery, he was often limited in speaking, but still gave a thumb’s up to everyone he saw.

J.T. is preceded in death by his parents, Ray Summers and Elaine (Thomas) Dulin, and his first wife, Ingrid Summers. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Marilyn (Marchetti) Summers of Independence, Missouri; four children and their spouses, Raymond and Lisa Summers, Sandy and Terrie Summers, Mary Beth and Steve Smith, and Robert Baskett and Samantha Tricarico; two brothers, Herbert Summers and Darrell Summers; one sister, Donna Ray Summers; 13 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64133 on Saturday, December 22, 2018 with visitation at 1:00 pm and memorial service at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make monetary donations in his memory to Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City at www.childrensmercy.org or by mail to 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108.