Donald Jay Sumner

Donald "Jay" Sumner passed away peacefully at home on January 16th, 2026, with human and furry family members all around. At diagnosis, Jay was given 6 to 18 months. He lived 18 months and one day, because of course he did. To say Jay was a big presence is an immense understatement. He did not dole out his love-or even his "like"-very freely, but once you were one of his people, he would move heaven and earth for you. It has been remarkable how many people have spoken to and about Jay having "changed their lives". That is a great deal of loyalty and support to pack in to 54 short years.

Jay was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and hit the ground running. He always excelled in school and sports and loved his home town of Brentwood. Jay met his first love, the Tennessee Titans, when they moved to Nashville in 1997 as the Oilers, rebranding soon thereafter. This fateful relationship ended a rather dark period for Jay, spent as a Dallas Cowboys fan, but we don't talk about that. Jay scheduled work and fun travel around Titans games; often watching them in the middle of the night from exotic locations in different time zones. True love asks very little in return, which is good, because the Titans have given him little to cheer about recently, but that kind of loyalty is a Jay trademark.

Jay attended Rhodes College in Memphis Tennessee, where he formed a wonderful network of friends and colleagues, and then graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee School of Law-ahead of schedule, he would want me to point out. A perpetual learner, Jay even aced Johns Hopkins School of Government Masters classes, just to "pass the time" in his last year of life.

In his twenties, Jay joined the ground campaign for the Democratic Leadership Council, working to elect centrist political candidates. He thoroughly loved that work and the people he met, but being a planner and organizer, did not enjoy the constant threat of job loss due to election cycles. He settled into labor law and worked in a host of illustrious law firms, before joining Lockheed Martin in 2011. He was incredibly proud to be a member of the Lockheed team and loved his colleagues.

He met his beloved wife Elizabeth in 2002, during which time his love for travel was cemented. Jay and Elizabeth enjoyed wine tasting, scuba diving, and of course, cheering on the Washington Capitals. They raised a furry family complete with dogs Sandy and Jett, and cats Inky, Gumball, and El Tigre. Elizabeth died tragically in 2012, and as a final gift to Jay (and to Suz), encouraged him to date and even marry again.

Jay met his beloved wife Suz in 2013, soon after she moved from Kansas. Jay was a fantastic tour guide for all things DC, as well as for many spots all over the earth. They loved live music, wine tasting (you may notice a theme here…), learning history, and debating politics. When COVID kept them out of the friendly skies, they shifted focus to the water near home, spending many adventures on their boat, Wine Knot. They loved and lost fur babies along the way, dogs Kennedy, Ollie, and Dierks Bentley. However, dog Carrie Underwood, and cats KC, "Nash"ville, and the lunatic orange tabby Mac McAnally remain (though Mac may be available as a raffle prize at the memorial service). Suz has committed to supporting Jay's Washington Capitals and Wizards in his absence, but being a lifelong Chiefs fan, the Titans will have to remain her second team.

Laced throughout his life was yet another love-a deep dedication to Jimmy Buffett and the island life and "laissez les bons temps rouler" attitude Jimmy espoused. Jay logged 50+ concerts throughout North America and Europe, and when Buffett passed in 2023, Jay and Suz undertook a pilgrimage of tribute shows. They even participated in Jimmy's "second line" funeral parade at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz Fest, shortly before Jay's diagnosis. Right up to the end, Jay's fortitude and zest for life would have made Buffett proud. Jay and Suz travelled extensively, knocked off bucket list items closer to home, and celebrated two boisterous "living wakes" to commemorate 6 and 12 months of survival, respectively. One neighbor quipped, "I think Jay lived more life in the 18 months he fought cancer than most people have their entire lives."

Jay was preceded in death by his grandma Lucy, his grandaddy "the Major", his stepfather Larry, and his father-in-law Bill. He is survived by Suz, his mother Linda, his sister Laura, best friends who became family, and a host of cherished friends, family, and colleagues.

As was his life, Jay's celebration of life will be fun, memorable, and full of wine. More details to follow, but we will be honoring him on Saturday, March 7th, in Arlington, VA. Donations in Jay's name may be made to the Lost Dog, Stray Cat Rescue Foundation at https://www.lostdogrescue.org/donate/

"Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic, but I've had a good life all the way." –Jimmy Buffett