Lavon John Sumption July 6, 1929 - September 22, 2022
Lavon was born in Groton, SD during the onslaught of the 1929 Great Depression to Elna Niva and Erwin (Ole) Sumption. The family moved to northern Minnesota where Lavon began his education. He attended high school at the University of Minnesota's North Central School of Agriculture, and on to the University of Minnesota where he completed his education through his PhD in animal genetics. Upon graduation, he joined the University of Nebraska Lincoln as a researcher, selecting for fertility in the Nebraska "Gene Pool' of swine. Lavon later joined a partnership of Koch, Gregory & Swige with beef cattle genetic selection and crossbreeding research; results of which were industry changers. Lavon moved on to the Canada Dept of Ag in Lethbridge, Alberta, supporting their cattle genetics program. Throughout the 1970's, he provided consultant services to cattle breeders in the US and Canada, including the selection and importation of breeding stock from Europe. Breaking through the disconnect between the academic world and the actual producers was an important and rewarding mission; in many cases earned him lifelong friendships. He returned to the University of Nebraska in 1981 as District Director of the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte. Following his retirement, he served as a golf ranger in AZ, then began teaching biology at Estrella Mountain CC in Avondale, AZ, and again at Columbus State CC in Columbus, Ohio. Recognized as a creative teacher, Lavon initiated bold, long term research projects, cheered on successors who completed studies, and went above and beyond to encourage students, friends and peers to move beyond their comfort zone and pursue every opportunity in sight. Lavon was a member of Sigma Xi, Alpha Zeta & Gamma Sigma Delta, Farmhouse Fraternity, and Torch Club; Former National Foundation Fellow, recipient of Commonwealth Foundation (London) Lectureship and Research Survey for East and West Africa; he was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and served on church and library boards. A committed golfer, he played 850 courses including every state and 9 countries, retiring to golf spectator and storyteller.
Lavon is survived by his wife, Peggy; brother, John (Lisa); son, John; daughters, Elizabeth (Rodel) Broas, Robin (Wayne) Campbell, Christine (Richard) White and Gloria. Joseph Rayford, Joshua (Joanna) Rayford; grandchildren, Amanda, Kate, Kelli, Morgan, Kaleb, Milo and Olivia; great-granddaughters, Hanna and Olivia. He was preceded in death by parents, Erwin (Ole) and Elna Niva Sumption.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022, beginning at 3:00 PM at the Holmes Park Golf Course, 3701 S 70th, Lincoln, NE.
Ashes will be inurned at the South Savo Cemetery, Frederick, SD. Memorials are suggested to the Food Bank of Lincoln, or the University of Nebraska Foundation's Gudmundsen Sandhills Ag Lab Endowment Fund.