George Summerlin

George Summerlin, 73, of Morehead City, died Saturday, October 17, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Summerlin started working in the newpaper business as a teenager at the News
Argus in Goldsboro. He retired from the Mount Airy News in 2002 after working as
publisher for 29 years. He was the president of the Mount Airy Merchants Association,
the Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, Mid-Atlantic Advertising, Executives
Association, and the N.C. Association of Daily Newspapers. He helped organize the
Surry County Economic Developmental Partnership and served one term as chairman. He
was on the Board of Directors of Reeves Community Center in Mount Airy, United Fund
of Mount Airy, the N.C. Press Association, UNC School of Journalism Foundation, and
the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History where he was one of the founders of the
museum. He was co-chairman of the drive to build the War Memorial on Main St. in
Mount Airy. He was awarded the Merchant of the Year in 1977 and Citizen of the Year
in 1979 in Mount Airy. He was a member of Bogue Banks Baptist Church, Grace
Moravian Church, the Mount Airy Rotary Club for over 30 years, and was recognized as
a Paul Harris Fellow. He served in the National Guard. He enjoyed gardening,
woodworking and fishing.
Services will be held 11:00 am Thursday at Bogue Banks Baptist Church with
visitation following the service. A memorial service will be also be held in Mount Airy at
Grace Moravian Church, Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Patti Bowman Summerlin of the home; siblings,
Lee Summerlin, Jr. of Goldsboro, John Summerlin and wife Maxine of Mount Olive,
Marie Walker of Philadelphia, PA and Louise Mohr of Baltimore, MD; children,
Anthony Summerlin and wife Mary of Morehead City and Wendell Summerlin and wife
Vonda of Walnut Cove; step-children, Neal Bowman and wife Lisa of King, Johnny
Bowman and wife Pam of Cana, VA, and Kelly Bowman and wife Beth of Mocksville;
grandchildren, Joseph Summerlin of Duncan, SC, Wesley Summerlin of Spartanburg,
SC, Charles Summerlin of Mount Airy, Lane Summerlin of Greensboro, Matthew and
Andrew Bowman both of Cana, VA, Catlin Bowman of Norfolk, VA, Courtney Bowman
of Mocksville, Jessica McGuire of Allenhurst, GA, and Justin Rothrock of Raleigh and
Cody Rothrock of Walnut Cove; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Lee and Ella Summerlin, and a brother, Billy
Summerlin.
Memorials may be made to Bogue Banks Baptist Church, 1417 West Fort Macon Rd.,
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, or to Grace Moravian Church, 1401 N.Main St., Mount Airy,
NC. .
George has gone Fishing.