Earl Sumerlin Jr.

Earl B. Sumerlin Jr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Earl B. "Slim" Sumerlin Jr., 88, died Jan. 1, 2011, in his home surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Mattoon, Ill., he was the only son of the late Earl B. and Catherine P. Sumerlin. Earl was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Catherine Rice Sumerlin of Hood River, Ore., and is survived by his daughter, Sandra Sumerlin of Orlando, Fla.; five sons, Christopher Sumerlin and wife Diane of Virginia Beach, Craig Sumerlin and wife Wendy of Shacklefords, Va., Curtis Sumerlin of Boone, N.C., Timothy Sumerlin and wife Jacqueline of Littleton, Colo., and Daniel Sumerlin and wife Sherry of Williamsburg; eight grandchildren, Daniel, Sandy, Catherine, Danielle and Timothy Sumerlin, Alisha Whited, Jonathan Lowery and Heidi Campbell; six great- grandchildren; and his lifelong devoted friends, Lorette and Bob Whitebread of Arlington, Texas, Kent and Sharon Bolt and Jay and Carolyn Baraki of Virginia Beach; and Betty Beaubien of Springfield, Va. Earl served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a pilot during World War II in the South Pacific, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam where he earned the Bronze Star for his service at China Beach and retired from the military in 1969. He subsequently enjoyed a successful career in the executive management of Norfolk Scope, Market Square Arena in Indianapolis and Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, N.Y. Earl, a member of Baylake United Methodist Church since 1964, was an active volunteer in several church outreach activities. He was always optimistic, loving, encouraging and generous. Slim, an avid golfer who shot his age into his mid-80s, never met a stranger and will be forever remembered in the hearts of family and friends. A memorial service will be conducted in his honor at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Baylake United Methodist Church. Holomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the ASMBA STAR Foundation for returning vets from Afghanistan. Interment will be at the Quantico National Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.