James Hamilton Summers

Mr. James Hamilton Summers, 94, of Mt. Airy, died on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Veterans Administration Hospital, Martinsburg, West Virginia, from complications associated with pneumonia and COVID-19. He was the beloved husband of 54 years of the late Margaret Virginia Main Summers, who died September 12, 2010. 

He was often referred to as “Jim” or “Jimmy” by his family and friends. He was born on November 11, 1929 in Frederick County, the son of the late Oscar Martin and Annie Elizabeth Hann Summers. He was one of fifteen children. He attended schools in the Braddock/Middletown area, completing grades 1-4 in a one room schoolhouse and finishing grades 5-7, before leaving school to assist the family in farming activities in the Hawbottom, Harmony, Middletown, Urbana, and Ijamsville areas of Frederick County. 

He served in the U.S. Army from August 14, 1951 to June 30, 1953, when he was honorably discharged. He was attached to the 35th Infantry Division during the Korean War, where he was critically wounded on July 23, 1952 near Yonchon, Korea, receiving the purple heart for wounds received in combat. He spent much time in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., recovering from his severe wounds and learning how to walk, talk, and perform the necessities of daily living again. He was a longtime member of the Bush Creek Church of the Brethren in Monrovia, a lifetime member of American Legion Post 191, Mt. Airy, and a member of Disabled American Veterans. He was the last remaining Charter Member in the formation of the New Market District Volunteer Fire Department. 

He worked for over 32 years at the former Jones Motor, Inc. in Mt. Airy as a Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth master mechanic. He had also worked at the former Monrovia Supply Company in Monrovia and the former Weil Brothers - Plymouth Dealership in Frederick. 

He enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, searching for morels, and camping with his family and friends in his younger days. Later in life, eating out with family and friends, playing Canasta, watching NASCAR, and cheering on the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens provided great pleasure in his life. His fondest memories were spending time with his grandchildren, and having family and friends visit at his vacation home in Paw Paw, West Virginia. 

Surviving are two sons, Ronald Eugene Summers of Taneytown and Larry Wayne Summers and his wife, Aimee, of Smithsburg; one grandson, James William Summers of Smithsburg; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Victoria Summers of Smithsburg; and four sisters, Lydia Miller of Ijamsville, Evelyn Mossburg of Ijamsville, Phyllis Horman of Williamsport, and Betty Hayward of St. Louis, Missouri. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by the following brothers and sisters: Frances Main (1976), Elwood Summers Sr. (1980), Robert Summers (1988), Elsie Cole (2000), Grace Schlesinger (2002), Ruth Fisher (2006), Annie Keeney (2008), Mary Keeney (2009), Oscar F. Summers (2012), and Gorman “Frank” Summers (2019). 

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike in Frederick and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024 at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 East Ridgeville Blvd in Mt. Airy. 

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 13th at the Bush Creek Church of the Brethren, 4821 Green Valley Road, Monrovia. Pastor Dawn Weller will officiate. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James W. Summers, Mark Main, Brad Miller, Joseph Mossburg, Kenneth Summers, James Ritter, Warren McKinney, and Richard Molesworth. 

Those desiring may make memorial contributions in his name to the ARC of Carroll County, 180 Kriders Church Road, Westminster, MD 21158. 

The family wishes to offer the sincerest thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Martinsburg Veterans Administration Hospital for the care, treatment, and compassion exhibited throughout Mr. Summers' final heroic journey. He has received the finest care a person could ask for over the last decade, especially the last five years, from the caring professionals at the Martinsburg VA Center! We also like to express our sincere gratitude to the caring staff of Home Instead Senior Care, who provided personal care and companionship. God bless you all.