Paul Clayton Summitt

Paul Clayton Summitt, 82, beloved husband and father, died on June 19, 2017, in the loving care of the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House staff and surrounded by his loved ones.

Paul was born December 5, 1934, in Searcy, AR to the late Dr. William Knox Summitt and Alevia Maruine Burch Summitt. He grew up in Searcy as his father was on the faculty of Harding College, now Harding University. Paul enjoyed time spent in Cardwell, MO on the family farm and during his teenage years treasured his time spent as a camp counselor at Camp Tahkodah. He attended Harding College from 1952-55. Paul was accepted into the Naval Aviation Pilot Training Program in Pensacola, FL during 1955-56. While serving in the Navy he piloted a Douglas AD-6 Sky Raider from the USS Forrestal in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1961 Paul completed his tour of duty with the Navy and returned to Harding College to complete his degree. He then attended Duke University and graduated from its Law School in 1964 after which he began an illustrious career as a civil servant in the U. S. Department of Justice. He later moved to Capitol Hill and authored key criminal code legislation under U. S. Senators John McClellan, Edward Kennedy, and Strom Thurmond. He remained in the Naval Reserve and he retired with the rank of Captain. Upon retirement Paul settled in Freeport and then Niceville, FL. While traveling to and from Cardwell, MO he renewed his acquaintance with Irene Allen Summitt. They married on October 4, 2013. He and Irene moved their permanent residence to her home in Paragould, AR in 2015.

Paul had a lifelong love for flying and continued to fly for most of his life. He shared his joy with his twin brother, James Knox Summitt, and his family. He was a passionate genealogist in both researching his family history and to assisting others researching their family history. Paul located the original Summitt ancestor, in NC, who migrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War and he wrote a comprehensive history that was generously shared. He loved music and enjoyed singing, playing the guitar and piano, and sharing that love with his children. Paul was an avid reader of history, religion, politics and biographies, accumulating an extensive library of books and video. Paul was a member of Antioch Church of Christ in Cardwell, MO. His exceptional kindness and generosity will be missed.

Paul is survived by his wife, Irene, of Paragould, Arkansas; his brother, James Knox Summitt and wife Eileen Stanton of Niceville, FL; three daughters, Julia Summitt (William) Miller, Kathryn Summitt (George) Tran, and Ruth Anne (Michael) Rosati, all daughters of Paul and Winona Joyce Williams Summitt; grandchildren Allison Summitt Miller, Jennifer Tran (Stephen) Strosnider, Timothy Tran, Rebecca Tran (Stephen) Grinder, Abigail Tran (Mack) Peters, Julia Tran, Matthew Rosati, and Kevin Rosati; great grandchildren David, Westly, Luke, and Barrett Strosnider; and numerous extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, Paul was predeceased by oldest brother, William Weston Summitt.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday from 1-3 pm with a Memorial Service to follow at Heath Funeral Home, in Paragould, AR followed by burial with military honors at the Cardwell Cemetery, Cardwell, MO. In lieu of flowers, Paul requested family and friends to direct their generosity in donations to the Summitt Family Endowment Fund at Harding University in his memory, and the memory of his parents, in whose honor Paul established the fund. also donations can be made to the Cardwell Cemetery Fund.