To say George Summers was an altruist would be an understatement. Summers was someone you could count on, someone you would expect to see around town serving the community in as many ways as he could. And you would always see his wife, Carole, by his side.
Summers served in many capacities, as a Rotarian in the Summerton Rotary club, on the board of the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, and as a Colonel in the United states Air Force.
“Any thing we had he sponsored, he showed up, no questions asked,” said former Chamber Director Ericka Floyd. “Anything he could do to support the county, he would do.”
Floyd also shared fond memories of Summers sitting at the Santee Welcome Center, handing out gift baskets to promote Clarendon County Tourism.
Summers also had a large hand in the Francis Marion Symposium, as well as the murals painted throughout the City of Manning. He and Carole also were responsible for the community calendars that can be found throughout Clarendon restaurants.
“He was dedicated to the county,” said Floyd. “You never think about who is putting all of these things together, and a lot of the time it was him.”
Summers also was a major influence on Tourism in the county.
“He was an avid advocate for Clarendon County,” said former Clarendon County Director of Tourism Tiffany Myers. “He was a superb volunteer and always willing to help with whatever we needed.”
His passing was not only felt by Myers and Floyd, however. George Summers was a name known by many.
“Our beloved colonel passed away over the weekend,” said Clarendon County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart at County Council Monday. “George and Carole did so much for our county. I ask everyone to keep them in your prayers. They are citizens who will be missed.”
Councilman Benton Blakely also mentioned Summers.
“They were great ambassadors for our county,” said Blakely. “They will surely be missed.”
Whether it was putting together a small community calendar or serving in the United States Air Force, Summers did everything he could to put his best foot forward. Read on for his full obituary from Stephens Funeral Home.
Colonel George P. Summers, USAF, Retired, 85, husband of Carole Wall Summers, died Sunday, July 10, 2022, at his home.
Born, March 10, 1937, in Ashland, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late Perry Summers and the late Helen Grace Bowers Summers. He was a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot. He was a member of Jordan United Methodist Church where he served as Lay Leader and Chairman of the Church Council.
Colonel Summers earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Duke University and his Master of Science from Troy State University. Colonel Summers retired from the US Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base after 30 years of service. He was stationed at 15 bases in the US and five foreign countries. He flew over 4100 hours flying fighter aircraft like the F-4 and the F-16. He served in the Vietnam War and Desert Shield / Storm. His many military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals, and Bronze Star Medal. While at Shaw AFB, the men and women of his unit earned the Daedalian Award for best maintenance organization in the USAF which led to being selected for the Phoenix Award for best in the DOD. Following his retirement in 1993, George and his wife, Carole, a retired math teacher and counselor, moved to Clarendon County where they developed an interest in Francis Marion and the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. Colonel Summers is a Rotarian, an Iron Duke member, member of the Duke Heritage Society, and a Braxton Craven Fellow, a Francis Marion Trail Commission member, President of the Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society, and a Board member of the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce. He is also a life member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Order of Daedalian, Vietnam Veterans of America, Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, the Military Officers Association of America, McLeod Clarendon Community Relations Board Member, National Society of DAR Excellence in Community Service Award, Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Lifetime Achievement Award for the Francis Marion Symposium, 2nd SC Regiment, General Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and he initiated the first annual Clarendon County National Prayer Breakfast through the Manning and Summerton Rotary Clubs.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carole Wall Summers.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 15, 2022, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Wright Turbeville officiating.
A private burial will be held at a later date.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at Stephens Funeral Home.
Memorial may be made to Jordan United Methodist Church, c/o Colleen Bochette, 2048 Bethlehem Road, Manning, SC 29102.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
