He was was born in Polk County, Dec. 12, 1933, the son of the late Lloyd Summerville and Elizabeth Lilies Summerville Swafford.
Mr. Summerville had served as a sergeant, U.S. Army, 108th Airborne Infantry, Fort Huachuca, Ariz. and was a member of the 36th Army Band.
Mr. Summerville earned his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University and was a charter member of the Southerners and Marching Ballerina Band. He proudly served at band president. He was the original “20 J” tuba player in the Southerners. He earned his master’s degree in music from the University of Alabama in 1962.
In 1963, Mr. Summerville became the band director at Calhoun High School.
In 1992 he began working with Cherry Hill Photo as a professional Santa. He had the opportunity to travel to several different areas. He appeared in a Toby Keith video, “Santa, I’m Right Here,” and also worked with Montel Williams as Santa for the cast and crew party.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Calhoun.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Franklin Summerville, Sandra Phillips Summerville and Seals L. Swafford.
He is survived by daughters, Sherron Mills and her husband Stephen of Athens and Jackie Brown and her husband Mike of Calhoun; brothers, Alan Summerville of Marietta and C.W. Summerville of Oscoda, Mich. a number of grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and five nieces
Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Tommy McDearis, Blacksburg Va. Baptist Church, Rev. John Harris and Dr. Ken Bodiford, Director of Bands, Jacksonville State University Southerners and Marching Ballerinas officiating.
Burial was in Chandler Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were former students, Michael Clark, Hank Dobson, Tom Moore, Neil McCloud, Robert Owens, and Jack Amberson. Ross David Smith served as special escort. Honorary pallbearers and escort were former Calhoun High School band members, former and active members of the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners.
The Thomas Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home made the local announcement.