Ernest James "Ernie" Sumner

My Grandpa was the best man I've ever known. He showed me love,courage,strength, and what it means to live. My life will never be the same without him. I had the Honor of being his "favorite" grandkid, that meant the world to me. I miss him everyday and I wish I could thank him for everything he's done for me and everyone who has the pleasure of meeting him. He was a cornerstone, my best friend, like a father, my hero. Rest well high with God. He's lucky to have you now. I love you and miss you, always Grandpa.

Jim and I welcomed Mr. & Mrs. Sumner into our home for dinner. Stan worked with my husband a the National Elk Refuge in Jackson WY. Such a pleasant time we had and when they left we were friends. Ernie had such a laid back positiveness about him. He was someone we wanted to know better.
He should be remembered for having a "good ride cowboy".

Twila just told me today about Dunn’s death. My Dad Gilbert Lawrence spoke so often about all the Sumner family. He felt like family to all and Mom and Dad both loved them. I am sorry for the families loss. Prayers will continue during this difficult time.

Condolences to the Sumner family. Growing up in the masonry business, Ernie was always willing to help if we needed anything from farming guys out to loaning equipment. I didn´t know him well, but I did have the pleasure of working with him briefly. One of the nicest people I´ve ever met. Kevin Hillemeyer-H&H Masonry

My dad, Rex Lee Sumner was Ernie´s older brother, who passed in July 1976. I am the oldest of Dad and Delores Titchywy Sumner 4 children, Larry, Dee Ann & Rosemary.
CB Sumner & Ernie both came to the house the day after dad had passed to provide support to mom and us kids.
To see Ernie is like seeing dad, because they both looked a like. And to see him that day was very special to me and the family. We were all in tears...
Ernie really looked like he was in pain because he had body brace on to fix his broken back and our hugs probably didn´t help. But, he never complained.

When I was 21 years old I fell on hard times for a few months (1975). I had worked for Ernie a couple of times in the past. It was snowing and supposed to get worse. I showed up on Earnie's job sight about 5:00 Am and started mixing mortar. In the snow! Now Earnie didn't judge. He was the kind of guy that you didn't have to do anything but work hard, and have a good attitude to prove yourself. Earnie showed up on the Job and put his headlights on me over there shoveling sand into the mixer. He got out of the truck with that smile that hardly ever left his face, and said " Bret we can't lay block in the snow." I said" Earnie, I'm going to work for you starting today". He said " Clean that mixer out, and start rubbing those walls." I stayed with the Company for Ten years. We worked together off and on over those ten years. Earnie always ran the really tough complicated jobs. He let the other guys have the easier stuff. It was always an honor when he would ask for me on one of his jobs. Every time I worked with him, I ended up just a little bit smarter than I was before. One of, if not the most respected Bosses in that era. Never heard a bad word said about him. Ever. In my eyes he was a craftsman, a leader, and a legend. I owe all the success in my life to Earnie, and a few others like him that I had the good fortune to work with.

Stan, I just want you to know Jim and I so enjoyed your parents. We were so happy to meet them when they came to our home in Jackson. Your Dad was the kind of man that was so comfortable within himself, that it took very little time for us to find out we wanted to be his friends. Same for you Stan.