Nathaniel Sumner

Nathaniel Bryce Sumner, born on September 16, 1985, passed away on March 26, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. Nathan was a deeply loved son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend who will be remembered for his humor, loyalty, and the love he gave so freely to those around him. He had a gift for making people laugh and brought light even into difficult moments. He was a devoted family man and the most loving uncle, always going above and beyond to create meaningful memories with those he cared about.

He had many passions that reflected his personality. He was an amazing artist often time, focusing his talents on portraits . He loved college basketball, especially Michigan State, was a loyal Phoenix Suns fan, and proudly considered himself the biggest Dallas Cowboys fan in the world — often joking that one day he wanted his ashes spread on the Cowboys' 50-yard line. He loved animals deeply and was known as the biggest dog lover we knew — animals seemed to love him just as much as he loved them. He enjoyed listening to podcasts, especially about the paranormal, and even in the hospital he kept his sense of humor, joking that his room was haunted and that the creaky door was caused by a ghost.

He also enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid gun enthusiast, appreciating the skill and focus it required. He had a playful curiosity about mysteries like Bigfoot, something he shared with his nephew, creating a special bond between them.

One cherished memory his family holds close is when he secretly flew in to surprise his sister, brother, and mother for Christmas — waking them in the middle of the night and creating a moment filled with love, laughter, and joy that will never be forgotten. It was a perfect reflection of how deeply he cared for the people closest to him.

He is survived by his mother, Tamara Sumner; his brothers, Brody Sumner and Zack Sumner; his sister, Meghan Hare and her husband, Jeremy Hare; his nieces, Braelyn Hare and Harlow Harrington; his nephew, Hudson Hare; his beloved doggy niece and nephew, Trudy and Sawyer; along with many loving extended family members and dear friends.

He will be remembered for his laughter, his loyalty, and the love he gave so freely. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Nathan's wishes were to not have a traditional funeral, but instead to have a celebration — a gathering that felt more like a party, reflecting the joy, laughter, and love he brought to those around him. A Celebration of Life will be held this September for close family, friends, and anyone whose life was touched by him and would like to honor and remember him. Specific dates and details will be shared at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made to the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation (https://www.checkit4andretti.org/), an organization dedicated to providing vital colonoscopy screenings to those most vulnerable — low-income, high-risk individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or too young for insurance coverage. Your support helps continue the important mission of early detection and prevention, something that meant so much to him and to our family. 🤍🕊️