Dixie Dean Summer

Dixie (Dix) Dean Sumner walked into the presence of the Lord on Saturday June 27, 2026, at his home in Hideaway, Texas, surrounded by four generations of his family. He was born on September 18, 1935, in Slaton, Texas to Ernest Lee and Verda Viva Cowin Sumner. He was the youngest of five children and was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Joann Sumner, Dell Corey and Helen Skaggs. He was a 1953 graduate of Stratford High School, Stratford Oklahoma. He received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from East Central University in Ada Oklahoma. and a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff Arizona. Dix was drafted into the Army in 1954, serving two years in Germany where he was an artillery gunman and played Division Level baseball and basketball. He married Kay Ann Endicott December 22, 1957, in Stratford Oklahoma at the First Baptist Church. A year later they welcomed a daughter Shelly Kay followed by daughter Kimberly Dell and son Kenton Dean. He loved the outdoors and spent countless hours hunting, fishing, camping, and floating rivers. While living in Montana he enjoyed hunting deer, elk, and pheasant. In Arizona he explored the entire state, often finding areas that few had ever seen. He enjoyed fishing and was an avid bird hunter (mainly quail) always accompanied by one of his beloved britney spaniels and was an impressive marksman. He enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his children, grandchildren, and students. During the summer, his family spent weeks on the Black and Salt Rivers of Arizona floating in the river, swimming and fishing. During the winter there were camping and quail hunting trips in the beautiful deserts of Arizona. Dix was an exceptional teacher and coach—firm yet patient, and always willing to help students who struggled. When he saw athletic potential, he encouraged both male and female students to develop their abilities, several competing at the college level. As one former student said, “He walked tall and carried a big stick. He was a rough, tough cream puff.” Many of his players viewed him as a mentor and father figure and stayed in touch through the years. One writing, “Coach was a father figure to me. I credit him for all the successes in my life, and I can still hear that strong voice that gave me strength and confidence.” The family has received hundreds of messages describing how “Coach” impacted their lives. He retired from teaching in 1991 and began the work of establishing the Springbrook Ranch in Stratford Oklahoma where he raised prize winning Bison. In 2008 he sold the ranch and moved to Hideaway Texas to be near his children and young grandchildren. Dix is survived by his wife of 68 years Kay Ann Endicott Sumner, his brother Jack Sumner of Ardmore, OK., children Shelly Sumner of Lindale TX., Kimberly Dickson of Tyler TX, and Kenton Sumner (Mindy) of Hideaway, TX., grandchildren Christopher Dickson (Macey), Lauren Raute (Kreger), Houston Sumner, Kenli Sumner, and Shae Siddiqui , Great Grandchildren Kaylee Eidson, Theodore Dickson, and Kyra Raute. A memorial service will be held in Stratford Oklahoma at a later date.

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Dixie Dean Summer

September 18, 1935 - June 27, 2026