Robert Joyce Sumner

Robert Joyce Sumner, 86, of Jacksonville, Florida and formerly Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, went to take his place with the Lord on Friday, October 4, 2024.
Robert's funeral will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 21, 2024 at Peeples Funeral Home, 14165 N. Main Street, Jacksonville, Florida. His family will greet friends starting 1 hour prior to the service. Interment with Military Honors will be held immediately after at 2:30 PM at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Robert was born on June 2, 1938 in Burgaw, North Carolina to Samuel L and Laura (Joyce) Sumner. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Catherine Guthrie, Margie Boynton, Jane Blanton, Junita Davis, Gladys Hickman; and brothers: Sam, Carl, and James. He is survived by his sister Louise Lyons and brother Graham.
Robert was a loving husband of 45 years to Marilyn Cecilia (Moore) Sumner. He is survived by his wife; his daughters: Melanie McLennan (John), Tracey Caron (Paul), Shannon O'Donnell (Ryan), Tricia Hartmuller (Rich) and Kelley Hyche (Patrick); 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren: (Anna Eakin, Brennan O'Donnell (Katie), Reiley Hartmuller, Rhett Caron, John McLennan, Brandt Caron, Brady O'Donnell, Tyler Berke, Bryce Caron, Dylan Hyche, Ryan Hyche, Brantley Marshall and Colton Marshall).
Robert proudly served his country for many years. From 1956 to 1959 in the United States Air Force, then in the Air Force Reserves from 1959-1962 and again from 1973 until his retirement in 1998 as Chief Master Sergeant. During his active-duty years in the 1950's, he served as an electric power production electrician in Newfoundland and Greenland and worked on B-47's for Strategic Air Command. During his service in the Reserves, he was Chief Loadmaster for military transport aircraft including the C-141 Starlifter and C-17 Globemaster III, participating in missions that took him all over the world including serving in the Gulf War. In 1993, he was one of 10 Airmen selected to the 317th Airlift Squadron to launch the new C-17 program in the USAF Reserves. His civilian career led him, in 1961, to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Virginia working on the "41 For Freedom" program building ballistic missile submarines. Later, in 1967, he moved to Charleston Naval Shipyard in South Carolina joining the federal civil service where he was a welder and pipe fitter, later supervising others in that role. He eventually transferred to Naval Station Mayport in Florida and became a NavSea Auditor.
Planes and flying were his true passions. To all those willing to listen, he loved sharing stories of the countless missions he participated in while in the service. He spent many hours with his girls watching touch-n-go's at the airport, taking the time to explain every detail. He even earned his single-engine, private pilot license in 1972 and enjoyed flying his own plane.
Additionally, Robert was the ultimate handyman. He could design, build, and repair almost anything. He built his family home in South Carolina and then later in Florida. Most recently, he spent time assembling complex Lego kits, from planes, churches, historic buildings, to lighthouses, which are proudly on display. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Memory of Chief Master Sergeant Robert Sumner to the Air Force Museum Foundation for expansion of the C-17 exhibit -- https://AirForceMuseumFoundation.org/support/#donate-now.