Donald Ray Sumner

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Dr. Donald Ray Sumner, 85 of Tifton died July 7, 2023, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, GA.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Tifton on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Biff Coker officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall after the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Tifton, P. O. Box 304, Tifton, Ga. 31793

Dr. Sumner was born on September 20, 1937 to Roy Dale Sumner and Myrtle Elston Sumner in Sheridan County, Kansas, both of whom preceded him in death. Along with his parents, he was predeceased, by his step brother, Duane Simon and his sister, Ruth Diebert.  Dr. Sumner started his education in a one room school house in Hoxie, Kansas.  After graduating high school there in Kansas from Hoxie High School, he attended Kansas State University for his bachelor’s degree, then he left to volunteer for IVS in Vietnam from 1959 – 1961.  Following two years in Vietnam, he finished his education at University of Nebraska with a Doctorate in Plant Pathology.  

Dr. Sumner loved traveling.  He traveled a lot with his job as a Plant Pathologist with the University of Georgia and with his wife, JoAnn taking Road Scholar trips all over the world. He enjoyed collecting tractors and elephants, and watching his favorite college football teams, which were Nebraska, Kansas and Georgia.  He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Tifton and The Tifton Lions Club for over thirty years where he helped with the Sight Seeing program and served in many positions including President.  He is described as a great Dad, who was also available to play ball even after a long day at work.

Survivors include his wife of fifty five years,  JoAnn Troyer Sumner of Tifton, Georgia,  daughter, Karena Elizabeth Couey of Rome, Georgia, his grandchildren, Zachery Nolen and Madeline Couey, both of Rome, Georgia, his brother, Patrick Allen Sumner and his wife Lois of Colby, Kansas, his stepbrother, Lawrence Simon of Morland, Kansas, his nieces, Christina Price of Ashland, Ohio, and Lisa Ribble of Arlington, Texas.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

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