Fr. Neal C. Sumner of Oklahoma City passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009.
He was born to a pioneer family in Shawnee on Jan. 10, 1936. Growing up, he was active in the Episcopal Church where he served as an altar boy, was active in EYO, and sang in the boys choir. He attended Shawnee High School, where he was in student council, attended Boys State, and was an Alternate All-State football player. He attended OMA on a football scholarship and later graduated from OU with a B.A. in finance in 1959. Neal had two daughters, Lisa and Lori, with his first wife Linda Forrester.
He started his career as a stock broker and continued in the investment banking business in Houston, Texas. He later answered his calling to join the Ministry and became an ordained clergyman in 1995.
Neal and Blanca married in 1997 and together were dedicated to helping others in crisis and need. His primary mission was in the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts, but he also worked to initiate and foster programs to keep kids off the street and he was involved with the Oklahoma City Youth Council. In addition, Neal and Blanca facilitated the distribution of basic necessities to the needy through their affiliation with “Feed The Children”. They also fulfilled their vision by starting and growing the congregation of St. James Anglican Catholic Church in Oklahoma City.
Everyone loved this man known as Slotty, Sweetheart, Dad, Poppy, Pappy, Uncle Neal and Butterfly. Neal and Blanca were spiritual soul mates, and she considered him to be her “Sweet Angel”. His daughters admired him deeply and considered him to be the most caring and loving father. Neal touched so many hearts in life changing ways…. and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Marcella and Wilson Sumner, and his sister, Peggy Smith.
His survivors include his wife Blanca Torres Sumner; daughters, Lisa Sumner Heard and Lori Sumner Baumann and stepdaughter, Moraima Gaetmank; grandchildren, Lauren Ashby Sumner Lamar, Harrison Sumner Heard and Eloise Gaetmank; sons-in-law, Robert E. Heard II and Connally Glenn Baumann Sr.; and nieces, Shaleen Wheeler and Sherrill Bodie.
Services to celebrate his life will be at St. James Anglican Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, located at 133 SW 24th Street in Oklahoma City and at the Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. James Anglican Catholic Church in Oklahoma City.
