Charles Donald Summer

Charles Donald Summers. 81, of Statesville, went home to be with Jesus on the morning of Monday, June 3, 2019. He passed away peacefully at the Gordon Hospice House following his courageous battle with multiple illnesses.

Donald “Don” was born in Iredell County on May 29, 1938 to Charles Flake Summers and Hila Katherine Ellis. He and his six siblings were raised on a dairy farm where they were taught the value of hard work from a very young age.

He attended Scotts through 12^th grade and upon his high school graduation in 1956, Donald briefly worked for WSIC as a broadcast technician where he began learning Morse code.

From January 1958 to June 1962, Donald served in the US Air Force where he was ranked Airman First Class. During his service, Don worked as a Ground Radio Repairman and Air Force MARS Operator. He was assigned to the 66^th Base Communications Squadron on the 66^th TAC Recon Air Base near Laon, France.

Upon returning home, Donald worked as a Transmitter Technician for WBTV in Charlotte from 1963 to 1968, He then became a valuable employee of Hoechst-Celanese for 28 years where he worked as an Electrical and Instrumentation Mechanic as well as a vocational instructor at Mitchell Community College where he taught classes in electronics and electrical maintenance from 1975 to 1990.

Of all of Donald’s many accomplishments, his proudest moment was when he became the Founding Member, organizer and First President of the Iredell County Amateur Radio Society (ICARS) in September 1976, this society provides emergency communications for communities. Donald was known by various call signs including K4PAJ, AI40 and most recently, W4DON.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jean Black Summers; two children, Lisa Summers Elam (Gary) and Steven Alan Summers; and one grandchild, Melanie Marie Elam. He is also survived by his one remaining sister, Carolyn Rae Summers Fulp; one sister-in-law, Peggy Gwaltney Summers; many nieces, nephews and cousins as well as his two cats Tomas and Callie.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard Norman Summers, James “Jim” Alfred Summers (Doris) and William “Bill” Ellis Summers; and by two sisters, Mary Julia Summers McElroy (Ralph) and Dorothy Aileen Summers Little (Skyler).

Donald will be remembered as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and brother who earnestly provided for his family and was always willing to help his loved ones during their time of need. He was dedicated in serving the Lord as a member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held 11:00am Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Troutman Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Holleman officiating. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 10:00-11:00 am on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Diamond Hill Baptist Church, 2320 E. Broad St., Statesville, NC 28625, Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625 or ICARS, PO Box 142, Statesville, NC 28687. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank everyone for all of the cards, visits and phone calls. Additionally, a special thanks to everyone at Davis Regional Medical Center and the Gordon Hospice House who cared for Donald during his last few weeks of life; you have all been angles to our family!

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family of Donald Summers.

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