James "Lee" Summerlin

James “Lee” Summerlin was born September 13, 1930 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He died peacefully on October 24, 2025 at the age of 95.

When he was a young boy, Lee’s family moved from Florida to Brunswick, MO where his infant sister Christine passed away. A short time later, he moved with his family to Lexington; his father William E. Summerlin, Sr, his mother Velma Thompson Summerlin, sister Johnnie Vivian Summerlin Peek, & brother Edgar “Ed” Summerlin. His youngest brother, William “Bill” E. Summerlin, Jr, was born after their arrival in Lexington

Lee graduated from Lexington High School in 1948 and married Rita Lindblad Summerlin (class of ’50) in 1949. Lee and Rita moved to Kansas City after they married then to Overland Park, KS where they raised their four children, Alan, Rita, Johnnie and Jim.

He had a long and distinguished career with the Federal Government. First with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1949-1964, and then with General Services Administration from 1964 until his retirement at age 57 in January 1987. He talked often of the good luck he had in his career and of the memorable mentors that supported him.

After 34 yeas of marriage, he lost his beloved wife, Rita, in October 1983 after a long illness. In 1985 he married Shirley Baker McAlister and they moved back to Lexington after he retired. They were married 24 years when Shirley died.

In 2009 Lee married Alice Beretta Buchanan and they enjoyed 15 great years together until her death in June 2024.

Lee had a long and happy retirement and filled his days enjoying many interests including hunting, fishing, golfing and woodworking. He was an avid reader, could fix nearly anything and was the “go to” when we had issues with our cars, needed a deck or something built for his grandchildren. Above all, he loved the many months he spent each year in Port Isabelle, TX where he, (and later he and Alice), had a wonderful community of friends and went fishing as often as they could.

He was always happiest in the outdoors and for many years he pursued his passion of raising and training German Shorthaired Pointers and competing in field trials. He was very proud of his contributions leading to the addition of the breed to the American Kennel Club of Kansas City.

Lee had wonderful family members in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Washington. Over the years he made many trips visiting family and celebrating milestones in his grandkids’ lives; graduations, marriages and births of his great-grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Bill Summerlin and his wife Carol, of Lexington, his son Alan Summerlin and his wife Susan, of Kansas City, MO, his daughter Rita Summerlin of Prairie Village, KS, his daughter Johnnie Segars (her husband Mark died in June 2025) of Boulder, CO, and son Jim Summerlin and his wife Teri, of Sand Springs, OK. Also, his grandchildren Patrick Summerlin (wife Shona), Caitlin Summerlin (husband Eric), Jacob Summerlin, Sydney St. John (husband Jackson), Lucas Segars and Elise Segars (husband Stefan). And great grandchildren Lauren, Matthew, Alana, Joshua, Sofia, Mila, Kellen, Lillian, Cade and Felix. And four great-great grandchildren and three generations of nieces and nephews. Our Dad was also very fortunate to have had a lot of support and love from Alice’s family members. He was a lucky man and we will miss him.