Darrell Dion Sumner, 79, of Sapulpa was called home by our Heavenly Father on July 1, 2024.
Darrell was born on April 29, 1945, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Donald Keith and Mildred Sumner. He was raised in Coffeyville, Kansas by Keith Sumner and Stepmother Jo Ann Sumner. He attended W. Coffeyville grade school and graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1963 in Coffeyville, Kansas.
He later attended Coffeyville Junior College on a basketball scholarship playing for the Red Ravens. After graduating from Coffeyville JUCO, he went to Pitt State in Pittsburg, Kansas to continue his college education.
In August of 1968, Sumner married the love of his life Patty (Courtwright) Sumner at the Assembly of God Church in Caney, Kansas.
In 1970, the couple was blessed with a son Darren Dion Sumner
April 29, 1945 – July 1, 2024
and two years later in January of 1972 were blessed with another son Derek Dean Sumner. Patty and Darrell were married nearly 56 years.
Sumner began his 50year career in the newspaper industry in 1970 at the Coffeyville Journal in Kansas.
He later went to work in southern Arkansas for Walter Husman, a media giant, at the El Dorado News-Times and the Camden News. Later he branched off with a few guys and was publisher of the Poteau Daily News & Sun.
Sumner remained in the newspaper industry buying newspapers in Oklahoma which included the Spiro Graphic, as well as local newspapers in Muldrow and Roland. Sumner also purchased the Aurora Advertiser in southwest Missouri.
In 1993, Darren Sumner graduated from Arkansas Tech University and followed in his father’s footsteps going to work at the Spiro Graphic. Darrell later purchased the Republic Monitor in Missouri and sent Darren to be publisher.
A few years later, Derek graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant and moved to Republic to train under Darren.
The Sumner family ended up buying more newspapers in Missouri which included the Table Rock Gazette in Kimberling City, Christian County Headliner in Ozark, The Nixa News-Enterprise, The Ash Grove Commonwealth and the Willard Times.
Darrell’s older brother Don Sumner joined the Sumner’s and was publisher of the Table Rock Gazette as well as the Bristow News for several years.
The Sumner family sold several of the newspapers in Missouri and purchased the Okmulgee Daily Times, Guthrie News Leader, Henryetta Free-Lance, Eufaula Indian Journal, Bristow News, McIntosh County Democrat in Checotah and the Sapulpa Daily Herald.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Keith and Jo Ann Sumner of Coffeyville, Kansas, sister Shelley Mosler of Owasso, Oklahoma, brother Donald Keith Sumner Jr. of Darby, Kansas and grandson Dawson Keith Sumner of Beggs, Oklahoma.
He is survived by his wife Patty Sumner of Sapulpa, sons Darren Sumner and Derek Sumner, brother Steve Nye of Nowata and grandchildren Piper Dion Sumner and Hallee Sumner.
“Don’t cry for me, this is not the end. I’ll be waiting here for you when we meet again.”
God is Good, All the Time. All the time, God is Good.
At this time, no services are planned.
