Clyde Summers February 17, 1927 – December 7, 2010

Clyde Summers, 83, of Mount Ayr, passed away December 7, 2010 at Mercy Hospice-Johnston. Clyde was born February 17, 1927 at New London, Iowa; graduating from high school in 1945. He served in the U.S. Army and then attended Parsons College; received his BA in education at Iowa Wesleyan College before earning his masters in administration from the University of Iowa. Clyde was a teacher and coach in Milton and Morning Sun; principal and coach in Farmington; high school principal and coach in Winthrop; high school principal and athletic director in Pleasantville, and was the high school principal in Mount Ayr from 1974 to 1989, retiring after 37 years in education.
After he retired, he remained active in his community with the Lions Club, Tourism Committee, United Methodist Church, being mayor of Mount Ayr and working (drinking coffee) with his friends. He was an avid sports fan. He cheered for the Cardinals and attended his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, which brought him much pleasure. Clyde took pride in his home, farm and family. He married Charlotte Garrels on August 27, 1950 and celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte, of Mount Ayr, Iowa; daughter, Rhonda (Glen) Kraemer of San Antonio, Texas; son, Brian (Sarah) Summers of Dallas Center, Iowa; grandsons, Sam Summers of West Des Moines, Iowa, Joe Summers and Charlie Summers of Ames and Matt Tillson of San Antonio, Texas, and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Lola Summers; two sisters, Alice and Doris, and one brother, Robert.
A memorial fund has been established to the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr. Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
Services were conducted at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr on Saturday, December 11, 2010, with Rev. Skip Rushing officiating. Musicians included Debbie Cannon and John Allen.
Casket bearers were Sam Summers, Joe Summers, Charlie Summers, Matt Tillson, Dick Still and Jay Watson.
Military rites were conducted by Ringgold Post #172 and Iowa Honor Guard Unit.
Clyde was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.