Alton Charles Summers

Alexandria – Alton Charles Summers (also known as Al or Aldy), 88, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on September 15, 2025. He was born on November 3, 1936, in Altoona, Pennsylvania to the late Chester Arthur Summers and Margaret Edna Frazier.

Al graduated from Altoona High School with the class of 1954. While serving in the Air Force from August 1954 to December 1961, Al was stationed at various stateside bases and Japan. On June 11, 1955, he married Helen Ann Kowalczyk in Coupon, Pennsylvania. After his Honorable Discharge from the military, they moved to Washington, DC where Al began working for the Defense Supply Agency and later the General Services Administration. They moved to the Mt. Vernon area of Alexandria, Virginia in 1967. Al retired in 1986 from GSA as a Personal Property Utilization Specialist. He was very proud of his service and the friends he made as an Auxiliary Police Officer at Fairfax County Police Department's Mt. Vernon District Station from April 1994 until November 2008. When he "retired" from police work, he had acquired 12,131 hours of volunteer service, including an award for the second highest in the department in 2006 with over 7,500 hours.

Al enjoyed hunting and was a member of the Isaac Walton League for many years. He also enjoyed his Citizen's Band (CB) Radio days, signing on as the Cherokee Medicine Man, and attending Jamborees throughout the Mid Atlantic area. He loved gardening and feeding the squirrels and birds at his house, but not as much as he loved his former house cats Muffin and Lucky.

Along with his parents, Al was preceded in death by his sister Sally Ann Rice. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen Ann (Kowalczyk) Summers, who he always said was the best thing that ever happened to him. He is also survived by their daughter Melinda Koca (husband Jim) of Herndon, Virginia, grandchildren Justin (wife Hannah) and Jennifer (Chris Smith), both of Richmond, great-grandchildren James and Alessandra, brother-in-law Michael Kowalczyk (wife Geri) of New York, sister-in-law Jean (Kowalczyk) Wagner (husband John), sister-in-laws Nancy Kowalczyk and Alice Kowalczyk all of Pennsylvania. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Ron Kowalczyk, Jr., Kim Decker, Tammy Watkins, Jake Kowalczyk, Chris Kowalczyk, Jason Kowalczyk and Beth Dodson, as well as special friends Cora and Donnie Garrison.

Although Al is gone, he will live on in our hearts and minds forever. No public services will be held at this time. The family appreciates your thoughts and well wishes.