Thomas Martin Sumner, age 68 of Eau Claire, died at home on January 21, 2016. Tom was born in Chippewa Falls WI on February 23, 1947 to Kenneth and Flora Belle (Peterson) Sumner.
Tom is survived by his son Andrew “Andy” of Sherman Oaks, CA., his wife Carol, step-children Robin (Andy) Meyer, granddaughters, Amelia and Hazel Meyer, who called him baapa…of Fort Collins, CO; step son Joshua (Stephanie) Downs of Chippewa Falls, WI.; his mother-in-law Phyllis Landis; brothers: Bob (Mary) Sumner of Chippewa Falls, WI, John “Jack” (Audre) Sumner of Eau Claire, WI, Dave (Loann) Sumner of Altoona, WI and Ken “Skinner” Sumner; sister-in-law’s: Kate (John) Moss, Jenn (Don) Dewitz and Paula (Gary Heuer) Steinke; brother-in-law’s: Steve Landis and Ken (Krista) Landis; his ex-wife Adriane Sumner of CA; and his Best Friend Paul (Joan) Nebel of Muskego, WI. Further survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and musician friends.
Tom attended 12 years of parochial educational schools, graduating from McDonell High School in 1965. After attending UWEC he moved onto The Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN… moved to Los Angeles for his music career in the 70s and came back to the Chippewa Valley in 1978. He spent nearly 30 years in radio as an announcer, sales and had his own noon-show as Uncle Tom with WAXX radio. He also hosted the WAYY cafe in Eau Claire. He was the greatest story teller and jokester. In 1999 he developed his own company, Ad-Venture Sales and went on the road selling wholesale items to bars and restaurants.
Tom will always be remembered for having music in his soul from a very young age. He was a self-taught musician starting at the age of 12, listening to hours of radio and learning the “chords” from his favorite artists and as he grew older he was known as “Harpman”. Tom formed his first band at the age of 15 and performed at his high school and local venues who would allow a young group to perform…forming numerous bands which were truly the good ol’ garage bands. The bands he performed in were his first love, The Jaguars, The Delegates, The Upstairs, and The Sumner Bros Band (with his brother Dave). He traveled the country doing what he loved most, entertaining. Tom eventually joined the Bandit Band for many years and disbanded when his psoriatic arthritis took over his beautiful hands…His voracious appetite for reading left no book unread, which is evident in all things he touched and I called him “Curious Tom”. He never stopped writing and singing or playing for any and all who would listen…Tom was the most gifted person all could have known with a powerful voice, just gritty enough to be tough but good natured.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Flora Belle Sumner, Father in law, Edward Landis, sister-in-law Kathy Landis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 between the hours of 4pm-7pm at Stokes and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
Tom is survived by his son Andrew “Andy” of Sherman Oaks, CA., his wife Carol, step-children Robin (Andy) Meyer, granddaughters, Amelia and Hazel Meyer, who called him baapa…of Fort Collins, CO; step son Joshua (Stephanie) Downs of Chippewa Falls, WI.; his mother-in-law Phyllis Landis; brothers: Bob (Mary) Sumner of Chippewa Falls, WI, John “Jack” (Audre) Sumner of Eau Claire, WI, Dave (Loann) Sumner of Altoona, WI and Ken “Skinner” Sumner; sister-in-law’s: Kate (John) Moss, Jenn (Don) Dewitz and Paula (Gary Heuer) Steinke; brother-in-law’s: Steve Landis and Ken (Krista) Landis; his ex-wife Adriane Sumner of CA; and his Best Friend Paul (Joan) Nebel of Muskego, WI. Further survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and musician friends.
Tom attended 12 years of parochial educational schools, graduating from McDonell High School in 1965. After attending UWEC he moved onto The Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN… moved to Los Angeles for his music career in the 70s and came back to the Chippewa Valley in 1978. He spent nearly 30 years in radio as an announcer, sales and had his own noon-show as Uncle Tom with WAXX radio. He also hosted the WAYY cafe in Eau Claire. He was the greatest story teller and jokester. In 1999 he developed his own company, Ad-Venture Sales and went on the road selling wholesale items to bars and restaurants.
Tom will always be remembered for having music in his soul from a very young age. He was a self-taught musician starting at the age of 12, listening to hours of radio and learning the “chords” from his favorite artists and as he grew older he was known as “Harpman”. Tom formed his first band at the age of 15 and performed at his high school and local venues who would allow a young group to perform…forming numerous bands which were truly the good ol’ garage bands. The bands he performed in were his first love, The Jaguars, The Delegates, The Upstairs, and The Sumner Bros Band (with his brother Dave). He traveled the country doing what he loved most, entertaining. Tom eventually joined the Bandit Band for many years and disbanded when his psoriatic arthritis took over his beautiful hands…His voracious appetite for reading left no book unread, which is evident in all things he touched and I called him “Curious Tom”. He never stopped writing and singing or playing for any and all who would listen…Tom was the most gifted person all could have known with a powerful voice, just gritty enough to be tough but good natured.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Flora Belle Sumner, Father in law, Edward Landis, sister-in-law Kathy Landis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 between the hours of 4pm-7pm at Stokes and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
Thomas Martin Sumner, age 68 of Eau Claire, died at home on January 21, 2016. Tom was born in Chippewa Falls WI on February 23, 1947 to Kenneth and Flora Belle (Peterson) Sumner.
Tom is survived by his son Andrew “Andy” of Sherman Oaks, CA., his wife Carol, step-children Robin (Andy) Meyer, granddaughters, Amelia and Hazel Meyer, who called him baapa…of Fort Collins, CO; step son Joshua (Stephanie) Downs of Chippewa Falls, WI.; his mother-in-law Phyllis Landis; brothers: Bob (Mary) Sumner of Chippewa Falls, WI, John “Jack” (Audre) Sumner of Eau Claire, WI, Dave (Loann) Sumner of Altoona, WI and Ken “Skinner” Sumner; sister-in-law’s: Kate (John) Moss, Jenn (Don) Dewitz and Paula (Gary Heuer) Steinke; brother-in-law’s: Steve Landis and Ken (Krista) Landis; his ex-wife Adriane Sumner of CA; and his Best Friend Paul (Joan) Nebel of Muskego, WI. Further survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and musician friends.
Tom attended 12 years of parochial educational schools, graduating from McDonell High School in 1965. After attending UWEC he moved onto The Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN… moved to Los Angeles for his music career in the 70s and came back to the Chippewa Valley in 1978. He spent nearly 30 years in radio as an announcer, sales and had his own noon-show as Uncle Tom with WAXX radio. He also hosted the WAYY cafe in Eau Claire. He was the greatest story teller and jokester. In 1999 he developed his own company, Ad-Venture Sales and went on the road selling wholesale items to bars and restaurants.
Tom will always be remembered for having music in his soul from a very young age. He was a self-taught musician starting at the age of 12, listening to hours of radio and learning the “chords” from his favorite artists and as he grew older he was known as “Harpman”. Tom formed his first band at the age of 15 and performed at his high school and local venues who would allow a young group to perform…forming numerous bands which were truly the good ol’ garage bands. The bands he performed in were his first love, The Jaguars, The Delegates, The Upstairs, and The Sumner Bros Band (with his brother Dave). He traveled the country doing what he loved most, entertaining. Tom eventually joined the Bandit Band for many years and disbanded when his psoriatic arthritis took over his beautiful hands…His voracious appetite for reading left no book unread, which is evident in all things he touched and I called him “Curious Tom”. He never stopped writing and singing or playing for any and all who would listen…Tom was the most gifted person all could have known with a powerful voice, just gritty enough to be tough but good natured.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Flora Belle Sumner, Father in law, Edward Landis, sister-in-law Kathy Landis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 between the hours of 4pm-7pm at Stokes and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
Tom is survived by his son Andrew “Andy” of Sherman Oaks, CA., his wife Carol, step-children Robin (Andy) Meyer, granddaughters, Amelia and Hazel Meyer, who called him baapa…of Fort Collins, CO; step son Joshua (Stephanie) Downs of Chippewa Falls, WI.; his mother-in-law Phyllis Landis; brothers: Bob (Mary) Sumner of Chippewa Falls, WI, John “Jack” (Audre) Sumner of Eau Claire, WI, Dave (Loann) Sumner of Altoona, WI and Ken “Skinner” Sumner; sister-in-law’s: Kate (John) Moss, Jenn (Don) Dewitz and Paula (Gary Heuer) Steinke; brother-in-law’s: Steve Landis and Ken (Krista) Landis; his ex-wife Adriane Sumner of CA; and his Best Friend Paul (Joan) Nebel of Muskego, WI. Further survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and musician friends.
Tom attended 12 years of parochial educational schools, graduating from McDonell High School in 1965. After attending UWEC he moved onto The Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN… moved to Los Angeles for his music career in the 70s and came back to the Chippewa Valley in 1978. He spent nearly 30 years in radio as an announcer, sales and had his own noon-show as Uncle Tom with WAXX radio. He also hosted the WAYY cafe in Eau Claire. He was the greatest story teller and jokester. In 1999 he developed his own company, Ad-Venture Sales and went on the road selling wholesale items to bars and restaurants.
Tom will always be remembered for having music in his soul from a very young age. He was a self-taught musician starting at the age of 12, listening to hours of radio and learning the “chords” from his favorite artists and as he grew older he was known as “Harpman”. Tom formed his first band at the age of 15 and performed at his high school and local venues who would allow a young group to perform…forming numerous bands which were truly the good ol’ garage bands. The bands he performed in were his first love, The Jaguars, The Delegates, The Upstairs, and The Sumner Bros Band (with his brother Dave). He traveled the country doing what he loved most, entertaining. Tom eventually joined the Bandit Band for many years and disbanded when his psoriatic arthritis took over his beautiful hands…His voracious appetite for reading left no book unread, which is evident in all things he touched and I called him “Curious Tom”. He never stopped writing and singing or playing for any and all who would listen…Tom was the most gifted person all could have known with a powerful voice, just gritty enough to be tough but good natured.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Flora Belle Sumner, Father in law, Edward Landis, sister-in-law Kathy Landis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 between the hours of 4pm-7pm at Stokes and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
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