Commander Frank Foster Sumney

Commander Frank Foster Sumney, USN (Ret.) was born on January 23, 1925, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and died on February 26, 2013, in Kingsville, Texas. His parents, Weir and Helen Laughlin Sumney and his sister, Evaleen Sumney Watko preceded him in death.

His childhood was spent in Clairton, Pennsylvania. After attending Penn State University, Frank joined the US Navy Flight program and received his wings in 1945. During his long Navy career he was a flight instructor, flew many different aircraft and spent two tours of duty on the the aircraft carrier, USS Coral Sea. While in the Navy, Frank also attended the University of Texas and the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School. After 20 years of devoted service, Frank retired and went on to graduate from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. He spent the next twenty years teaching NJROTC and history at H.M. King High School.

In 1951, Lt. j.g. Frank Sumney married JoAnn Vickers of Taft, Texas. They were married for sixty-two years during which time he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Cdr. Sumney is survived by his wife, JoAnn and his children - Kimball Sumney, Kristi Sumney Kirchoff & her husband Mike, and Kendra Sumney Huff & her husband Ralph. He is also survived by four grandchildren - Ryland (Amanda) Kirchoff, Landon Kirchoff, Hunter (Erionne) Huff, Kendall Huff and three great-grandchildren, Hailey, Ralph & Dairrin Huff. Also surviving Cdr. Sumney are his niece, Cindy (Bob) Harlan, and nephew, Tom (Robin) Watko & a sister-in-law and her husband, Cheryl & Harold Wright. He will be greatly missed by his devoted pet companion, Pepe.

Frank Sumney was a loving and devoted family man. He was a true gentleman.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Kingsville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 553, Kingsville, Texas 78364, or to a charity of your choice.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.