Earnest Benton Sumerall, Jr Obituary (1937

Ernest B. Sumerall Jr. "Earnie" to his family and friends was born on December 6, 1937 in Tulsa Oklahoma to Earnest Sumerall Sr. and Lucille (Whitehead) Sumerall. He entered Heaven greeted by his wife Carol and his parents on August 6, 2020. Earnie grew up on the west side of Tulsa, he attended Webster High School where he was on the wrestling team and after graduating in 1955 he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins and was on the roping team, after a year at Colorado State he transferred to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. Earnie had many interests and hobbies throughout his life, he began playing the pedal steel guitar at the age of nine, he was a well known steel guitarist in the Tulsa area, he played in many area bands and had his own band that was the house band at Dutch's Party Barn for many years in the 70's. Earnie was very modest about his musical connections but he played behind many artists that were unknown at the time but got their start playing in Tulsa clubs and eventually moved on to successful careers in Nashville. When he was about 12 he attended a show in downtown Tulsa by Hank Williams. Earnie made his way back stage by himself and witnessed Hank walking around strumming his guitar and warming up his voice for his performance. Earnie had a song book with him and he went up to Hank and asked if he would sign his book, which Hank said he'd be glad too. Earnie grew up around rodeoing and enjoyed calf roping (he said he used to practice by roping his little brothers, Jimmie and Gary). He met his future wife Carol Lawson at a rodeo and they were married for 55 years when Carol passed away in 2013. Together they had one daughter, Kimberley. For many years Earnie was a pigeon breeder, he especially liked the English Trumpeter breed and started a breeder's club called "The English Trumpeter Club of America". He established pigeon shows locally where people from all over the country would bring their birds for showing, buying and selling to perfect breeding lines. From his bloodline he sold birds to Ray Price and Willie Nelson who were both pigeon fanciers. During the late 80's and early 90's he formed a Bass Tournament business called "Big Bass for Big Bucks", these tournaments were held on Oklahoma area lakes. Earnie also enjoyed playing golf but had to give it up due to failing health. Inspite of all his interests and hobbies, nothing brought him pleasure more than his two grandchildren Chet and Rachelle and he never missed a musical or sporting event they had. Chet shared his love for music by playing the drums and guitar and Rachelle shared his love for competitiveness in playing basketball. Earnie worked at John Deere Chemical Co., Born Engineering and retired in 2001 from the City of Tulsa as a Purchasing Agent. Earnie was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Carol He is survived by his daughter Kim and husband Mitch of Sand Springs, grandchildren Chet Pate (Megan) of Tulsa, Rachelle Caldwell (Justin) of Jenks, Brother Jim Sumerall of Berniece, Gary Sumerall (Carolyn) of Tulsa, 4 Great Grandchildren, 5 nieces and 1 nephew. In staying true to the circle of life, the day Earnie left this world his 4th great grandchild entered this world.