- Date Of Birth: February 18, 1950
- Date Of Death: December 1, 2020
- State: Utah
On December 1st, 2020, John Charles Sumner graduated Magna cum laude from life. Emphasis on the “laude.” John passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
John Charles Sumner was born to Claude and Eleonore Sumner on February 18, 1950 in Eldora, Iowa. John began his life’s education in the magical art of childhood. His parents had 9 children: Raymond, Wayne, John, Claudia (Gimbel), Joel, David, Kathryn (Furan), Glenn, and Benet. All nine of them studied diligently and went on to master life in varied and beautiful ways.
Always a curious student of life, John joyfully discovered music. He learned to play the piano with his brother Wayne and taught himself to play guitar. As a teenager, John bought a 1942 Martin guitar and repaired it. He loyally played that guitar for the rest of his life, sharing his music with everyone. Elaine once told John she hoped he never had to choose between her and the guitar, because she thought he would choose the curves of the guitar!
At 14, he sought to understand the faith of his parents. He read the Book of Mormon. He planted his seed of faith and watered it generously with music. At that time, John wrote his first song on the guitar, “When I Read The Book of Mormon.” John wrote: “If you ask the Father for an answer, He will reveal the truth to your heart.”
After John graduated from Albert Lea High School, he ambitiously continued his life education. He formed the band The Things to Come with 5 talented friends and ran for Hollywood. They competed and won a talent competition on ABC: The Sounds Of ’68. The prize: $5k, a 1968 convertible Camaro, a college scholarship, and a recording contract with Columbia Records. John was conflicted by his ambition. He chose to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints in Chicago, IL instead of accepting the record contract. Ever the curious, excited student, John served honorably and came home to begin his quest for an education. While at BYU, John formed the band Oak Harbor with Bruce Argyle and Don Danner. The band was highly sought after for multi-state church and college dances.
In 1976, a friend from BYU set John and Elaine up on a blind date. She knew they were both widowed at a young age. Elaine had recently moved from South Carolina to Utah with her two-year-old son Brad, studying child development at BYU. John told Elaine that when he saw her, his heart stood still; he sang her a song with those same lyrics. Five months later, on September 4, 1976, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple by John’s Mission President, and their marriage education began.
They started their family right away with Brad. In two year increments for the next decade, they gave life to Mary, Brooke, Benjamin, Sarah, and Emily. John and Elaine enthusiastically taught their six children to study life and adventure. John made a choice to get an education in law. While pursuing his Juris Doctorate, John spent his days learning at BYU, late afternoons managing Herger Music and, in the evenings, playing guitar at bedtime and reading stories for his six precious children. At BYU, the family enjoyed picnics on campus, football games, Stadium of lights, Scera Park, birthdays at Jimbo’s, and family parties at which John always entertained. John received his Juris Doctorate of Law at BYU in 1986. The couple was reluctant to leave Happy Valley, Provo, UT, but John had received a job offer from a firm in Atlanta, GA. They admirably wrangled 6 children and set off for an adventure 2000 miles away.
The family loved their decade in Georgia: John served his church and public community. The family enjoyed Stone Mountain laser shows, Six Flags, creek exploration, discovering life-long friendships, and the blessing of being closer to Elaine’s side of the family. As their children approached their teens, John and Elaine missed living near family in Utah. John took a job with a firm in Ogden and he and Elaine once again prepared for a new adventure. They bought a house in North Ogden and John served that community as a dedicated civil servant as an attorney and notary. They lived there affectionately there for the next 28 years.
John and Elaine continued training each other and their children at the Academy of Human Existence: John would see his children graduate, move out, and grow up, and he would also experience heartache at losing his parents, many siblings, and his oldest son, Brad. He was overjoyed to receive 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He traveled to Europe with Elaine to visit Sarah and her family in 2016.
He enriched the community with his love of music, teaching guitar, voice lessons, and music theory. John served as a primary chorister, ward and stake choir director for over 40 years.
The broad strokes of John’s life are that he dearly loved and served his family, using music to accompany their many joys and hardships. He considered himself an always learning student of life who never stopped improving. John had a great love of God and his Savior Jesus Christ that was reflected in his music, life, and relationships. John always had a ready smile, was cheerful, principled, kind, exuberant, and so full of integrity and courage. John inspired and improved the lives of everyone around him.
John was preceded in death by his son Bradley Barnhurst (son of Larry Barnhurst); parents Claude and Eleonore Sumner; Ray Sumner; Glenn Sumner; Joel Sumner; David Sumner and his first wife, Martha Gilbert.
John is survived by his wife Elaine Sumner; children, Mary Clark (ID); Brooke Sumner (CA); Benjamin Sumner (UT); Sarah Maxwell (Germany); and Emily Guglietti (UT). He is also survived by his siblings, Wayne Sumner (UT); Claudia Gimbel (IN); Kathryn Furan (WA); and Benet Sumner (TX).
