Mr. James "Jim" Steven Summers, Sr., 72, was born on February 15, 1950, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois to the union of his parents Donald Ray and Ollie May (Spreen) Summers and left this earth for his Heavenly Home on Jan. 29, 2023, in Jena, Louisiana.

He leaves behind his loving wife of almost 50 years, Linda Anita (Ward) Summers and his beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as follows:

Jacquelyn Coleman and her husband Billy of West Monroe and their children Brian Coleman and Brianna Brooks & husband Shelby Clyde.

Angela Summers of Jena and her children Ainslee, Jesilyn and Quitman James Poole.

Jessica Norman and her husband Stephen of Pineville and their children Aerial and Elysia Norman.

And his favorite son, James Summers, Jr. "JJ" and his wife Brooke of Angola, with their children and grandchildren:  Kyle Summers & wife Lauren and baby girl Emersyn Kate, Kade Summers & wife Destiny and baby boy Kannon, Adison and Olivia Summers.

He is also survived by his mother Ollie May (Spreen) Summers and his brother Larry Dale Summers both of Belle Rive, Illinois and his sisters-in-law Gayle Lunsford of Mobile, AL and Dale Whatley of Spanish Fort, AL and brothers-in-law Gary Ward & wife Judy of Soso, MS and Craig Ward & wife Wendy of Pelham, AL. and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his dad, Donald Ray Summers, his cousin and lifelong confidant Ronald Frailey, and his very special brother-in-law Jack Lunsford.

James held a BS degree in Agricultural Sciences from Mississippi State and a MS degree in Botany from Louisiana Tech.  He served 30 years as the Extension Agent for LSU AgCenter in LaSalle Parish but scores of youth over those (3) three decades just knew him as the "4H Man" .  He was loved and will be missed by so many in that capacity, but he was so much more than that.

Our daddy was NEVER at a loss for words.  He was a brilliant conversationalist as anyone who met him soon found out.   He loved his God, his wife, his family, church family, and tractors.  He also fancied himself a singer and was known to have burst out in song at any given time, but rarely with the correct lyrics for the correct song.

He was the epitome of a Christian husband, father, grandfather, and man and we will live the rest of our lives striving to live up to his example.

The family will receive friends at the Jena church of Christ on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 3:30PM until 9:00PM. Services will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 10:00AM at the Jena church of Christ with John Barker officiating. Mr. Jim will be laid to rest in the Woodland Cemetery following the service, under the directions of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Brian Coleman, Kyle Summers, Kade Summers, Zach Barker, Jordan Overstreet, Sidney Tubre and Quitman James Poole. Honorary pallbearers are All of the men of the Jena church of Christ.