Thomas Sumter Bruton III

1944 - 2022

Thomas Sumter Bruton III
October 31, 1944 - September 30, 2022
Fort Worth, Texas - Thomas Sumter Bruton III, 77, known as Sumter Bruton, was a bright and shining star to the music world and for all who loved him. He was a natural athlete excelling at several sports, but he loved baseball. Sumter was discovered as a pitcher at Arlington Heights High School. He attended Tarleton on a baseball scholarship. He transferred to TCU where he played baseball for two seasons and earned his degree. He was born into a musical family and loved music at an early age. He was initiated into the music world through his parents and their store, Record Town. He matched record color labels to form categories of music before being able to read. He discovered rhythm and blues by turning the radio dial late at night. In 1962, he joined the Robert Ealey Band which became Robert Ealey and the Five Careless Lovers. The Bluebird Club filled to hear the glory of this music and his guitar skills. The legendary Texas R&B band, The Juke Jumpers, was created in 1977 by Sumter Bruton III and Jim Colegrove. They recorded five LP's and toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe. Among the various artists with whom he performed was singer, writer, and piano player, Mike Price. Together they formed The Swingmasters. Sumter was an encyclopedia of both Fort Worth and its music history. He managed Record Town along with his parents and after their passing. He is predeceased by his parents, Thomas Sumter Bruton Jr. and Kathleen Bruton, and his brother, Turner Stephen Bruton.
His gentle spirit and happy face will be remembered by all but mostly by his survivors: his cousins, Leslie and Arcadio Garcia, Dr. Leigh Ann Jenkins, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Ray Kovac and Anne Kovac, and his family Patricia Bruton, Jami and Carl Bruhn, Chase Bruhn, Paige Bruhn, Alexandra Bruhn, Patrick Sullivan, and Dylan Sullivan. The family wishes to thank Dr. Craig Dearden, the staff at Stonegate, Community Hospice at James L. West, and a host of caring friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Ridglea Theater Lounge, 6025 Camp Bowie Blvd., on Oct. 8 from 1-4 p.m. Memorials in Sumter's honor may be given to a charity of your choice.