He was born July 27, 1933 in Como, Texas, to the late James Oliver Summerlin and Sarah Artilla Pounds Summerlin. At the age of 8, his family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he would attend school and graduate from Fairpark High School in 1952. Troy’s father ran an ice route in Shreveport with Troy assisting him. After his father’s death when Troy was 10 years old, he continued the business on his own. Troy was always active in sports, particularly football where his team would go to State during his last two years of high school. He played Center and was quite accomplished with his deep snap. His mother, a seamstress, raised him to be very honest, hardworking and diligent. Wanting the best education for her son, she insisted that he go to Texas A & M. Both his mother and Troy worked hard to make this happen. Troy’s summers were spent working many jobs all over South Texas and Louisiana.
While at Texas A & M, Troy had the opportunity to be part of the Texas A&M football team coached by Paul “Bear” Bryant. This same team would later be known as the “Junction Boys”. He was also a member of the Corp and served as Company Commander of his unit. Upon graduation he received 2nd Lieutenant Commission with a degree in Architectural Construction.
Upon graduating from A & M in 1957, Troy worked for Ceco Steel Forming Division in San Antonio and Houston. In 1965, he joined Don Krueger at Krueger Construction where he became a partner. In later years KGS Electric Company was formed. Troy served as President of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and actively supported the YMCA with fundraising and membership drives. Troy, along with Don Krueger, worked tirelessly to bring like-minded businesses together to form the Mid Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors in 1982. Troy served as its first President in 1982 and 1983. Troy and Don were honored on January 14, 2010 and a Proclamation was signed reflecting this to be the Troy Summerlin and Don Krueger Day.
Troy had the love of the outdoors and loved to plant oak trees for his many friends; one of his greatest joys was taking care of his home and his lawn and doing yard work until his last days.
Troy taught Sunday school classes for many years at Baptist Temple Church and Northside Baptist Church and was heartbroken to have to give this up when he suffered a partial loss of his vision with his stroke in 2007. He subsequently retired after also developing throat cancer.
Survivors include his wife, Molly Ralls Summerlin; daughters: Kristan Summerlin Ritchey and husband Patrick, Karen Summerlin Flowers and husband William, Kelly Summerlin Schleider and husband John, and son, Scott Blaine Summerlin, and grandchildren: Brynn Murphy Ritchey, Jackson Ross Flowers, John Dabbs Schleider, Jr., Benjamin Herman Schleider, IV and Sarah Annabelle Schleider. He is also survived by his three step daughters: Rhonda Boyd, Terri Bernhard, Jill Erskine and their families.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Nell Ross Summerlin, the mother of his children, and brothers: Eugene Summerlin, Arlen Summerlin and Merle Summerlin.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 21, at Rosewood Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM at Northside Baptist Church on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, with the Rev. Tim Williams and Rev. J. V. Helms officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are: Patrick Ritchey, William Flowers, John Schleider, Al Boyd, Will Bernhard, and Pat Erskine. Serving as honorary pallbearers are James Harold Williams, Don Krueger, Danny Hiller, John Brimberry, Jack Robinson, Don Burris, Mark Zafereo, Randy Hudson and all of his coworkers at Don Krueger Construction and KGS Electric Company.
Very Special thanks to Dr. John McNeill, Dr. Bellew, Dr. William Campbell, Dr. Chen, Dr. Hoang, Dr. Quadri, Dr. Shay, Dr. Nezhad, and all the wonderful nurses at Citizens Hospital along with a recent caregiver, Joann Garibay.
Memorials can be made to Northside Baptist Church or Donor’s choice.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at rosewoodfuneralchapel.com
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