Thomas Summerford

Thomas "Tommy" Alfred Summerford Florence, SC Thomas "Tommy" AlfredSummerford, 84, of Florence, passed away on Monday,March 11, 2013, in a local health care facility after an illness. Mr. Summerfordwas born in Florence, a son of the late Major Summerford, Sr. and Mary Lee Mays Summerford Maxwell.He graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Technology and was co-owner of Summerford Heating and Air.He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and former Sunday School Teacherfor adult classes and children’s classes and a member of the Christian Family Class. Mr. Summerford was a lifetime Florentine and loved golfing.He is in the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame and the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame.Mr. Summerford was the very first recipient to receive the Ira S. Rainwater BestAll Around Athletic Award.He was a former Cub Scout Master at St. Paul United Methodist Church for many years.He was also the Past President of the South Carolina Mechanical Contractors Association. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, Major Summerford, Jr. Surviving are his wife of sixty-three years, Betty Allen Summerford; his children, Tom (Martie) Summerford of Blythewood, Columbia, Terri (David) Watts of Florence, and Sandee S. Rogers of Mullins; nine grandchildren, Amy Shumate, Adam Summerford, Paul Summerford, Matt Summerford, Ryan Huggins, Kathryn Huggins, Reed Norris, Carson Rogers and Weston Rogers; seven great-grandchildren;his brother, Doug (Peggy) Summerford of Florence; his sisters, Wren (Ted) Hanks of Spokane, Washington, Connie S. Windham of Florence, and Linda (Lindsay) S. King of Camden; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.Entombment will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1629 West Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29501. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank the staff of the McLeod Hospice House for all their special care given to Mr. Summerford. Please sign the online guest registry in the obituary section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.