September 12, 1967 – June 16, 2023
Thomas B. “Tommy” Sumner III, 55, passed away peacefully at his home on June 16, 2023, surrounded by his children, family, and friends after courageously fighting a recurring battle with melanoma.
Tommy was born on September 12, 1967, in Raleigh, NC, to the late Veda Rhodes Jones and Thomas Sumner Jr. Vacationing to the Outer Banks early in his childhood, Tommy developed a deep love and passion for the beach and its surrounding environments. After his father passed in 1977 from a short battle with cancer, Tommy was fortunate to have a wonderful stepfather in Reid H. Jones who enhanced his love for the outdoors through the many hunting and fishing trips they shared together until Reid’s passing in 2019.
A 1985 graduate from Manteo High School, Tommy continued his education at East Carolina University earning a Bachelor of Science degree four years later. He spent the majority of his career in the food and beverage industry working as an independent contractor for Peet’s coffee, and a route salesperson for Budweiser, Coca-Cola, and Pepperidge Farms.
Tommy loved the outdoors and was passionate about wildlife conservation. He traveled around North Carolina with his stepfather Reid to help organize Ducks Unlimited chapters. He also had many excursions to the Dakotas, Canada, and Mexico as an avid fisherman and duck hunter. Tommy spent many evenings looking up at the sky, naming the migrating birds overhead and hand-feeding corn to passing deer.
Another passion of Tommy’s was music. His mother, Veda, inspired his love of music. Tommy enjoyed numerous genres of music but was most fond of classic rock, country, and heavy metal. He had a particular enthusiasm for KISS, Ted Nugent, and Elvis. He made it a priority to attend as many live shows as he could.
Tommy’s greatest accomplishment in his life was being a supportive and loving father. He devoted his life to raising and rearing his four little ones in the Outer Banks so that they could have a blessed life near the water. He shared his love of hunting and fishing with his children. He was one of the most loving and kind humans, always making sure that his family’s needs were ahead of his own. He was quick with a smile and a good belly laugh. Tommy was an old soul who had never met a stranger.
Tommy is survived by his amazing and devoted children who were the light and loves of his life: Thomas B. Sumner IV, Livia B. Sumner, Kemp C. Sumner, and Lincoln G. Sumner; his sister and brother-in-law Lynn Sumner Collar and John Collar; his two nephews, Cameron S. Collar and Jeremy A. Collar; his beloved cousins, Robbie Waynik, Charlene Price, and Stephen Taylor; his close and special friend Nancy Fletcher; his two precious puppies Sadie and Mabel, and three cats Willow, Juniper, and Poppy.
Please join us to celebrate Tommy’s life and love for his family and friends. We will convene at Twiford Funeral Home on Sunday, July 2nd at 1 pm for visitation services and 2 pm for the procession and celebration of life. The location is as follows: Twiford Colony Chapel, 500 Budleigh Street, Manteo, NC 27954 (252.473.2449, https://www.twifordfh.com/).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ducks Unlimited Outer Banks Chapter in memory of Thomas B. Sumner, III. Donation information is as follows: Ducks Unlimited c/o Mark Milby, 3832 Elijah Baum Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com
