James W. Summitt

James W. Summitt, age 84 of Vandalia, Ohio, returned to his Heavenly Home on the morning of Sunday, May 19, 2024.

He is survived by his wife of 60+ years, Patricia (Cox) Summitt; his son, scOtt summitt; his daughter, Michelle (Summitt) Joiner; his grandson, Logan Joiner and his wife Brianna (Longworth) Joiner; his sister, Frances (Summitt) Vance of Anderson, Indiana: his brother, Gordon T. Summitt, Jr. of Plano, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and family members across the United States.

Born in Waldo, Arkansas, Jim was the youngest of eight children of Gordon T. Summitt, Sr. and Lena (Covey) Summitt. He is preceded by his late siblings, Anna (Summitt) Stewart of Camden, Arkansas; Jeannette (Summitt) Delaney of Apollo Beach, Florida; Charles Summitt of Coronado, California; Wilma Summitt of Anderson, Indiana; and William (Bill) Summitt of Fort Worth, Texas.

Jim graduated in the Class of 1957 from Malden High School in Malden, Missouri. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (formally Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy) in Rolla, Missouri, and later achieved a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio.

After graduation from college in Missouri, he joined the United States Air Force and went through Officers Training school at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He served for four years at Edwards Air Force Base in California. After his term of service, he made his home in the Miami Valley, working as a civilian aerospace engineer at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. 

A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, Jim and his family found their church home at the Vandalia United Methodist Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir for many years and serving on various church committees and causes.

Jim's joyous Spirit was a testament to the fine Life he led. He had an outgoing personality, and every person he met was instantly a friend. He would always show up with a smile, a kind word to whomever needed it, and a Donald Duck imitation that entertained many youngsters and adults alike. His welcoming presence always made the people he met light up and truly shine.

There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at Vandalia United Methodist Church, 200 South Dixie Drive, Vandalia, Ohio on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Visitation with the family begins at 1:00pm, followed by the Memorial Service at 2:00pm with Pastor Michael Malcosky officiating.

The Summitt family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, specialists and staff of the Kettering Cancer Center for their kindness and dedicated care to Jim over the last year and a half. They also thank their church family at VUMC for their love, care and support in this challenging time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made in Jim's memory to one or more of the following organizations:

Vandalia United Methodist Church

https://www.vandaliaunitedmethodistchurch.com/

Kettering Health Foundation – Oncology (Kettering Cancer Center)

https://ketteringhealth.org/give/kettering-health-foundation/

American Cancer Society

https://www.cancer.org/donate.html

 Family and friends may also plant a Memorial Tree in Jim's memory by visiting the Morton Whetstone floral store link below..