E.T. Summers, Jr., was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 2, 1918 and went home to be with the Lord and united with his wife, parents, and many friends on May 13, 2014.
He was the oldest child born to E.T. Summers, Sr., and his wife, Albertine Summers and moved with them to Cuero, Texas in 1926. Upon graduation from Cuero High School he attended and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1939 and returned to become active in the family business, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Cuero, Texas. He married the love of his life and soulmate Lou Cretia Morris on July 8, 1941. Following completion of his deployment to Europe as a Captain in the U.S. Army, he returned to Cuero to make his home. He and Lou Cretia were married 63 years prior to her death March 10, 2005.
They were blessed with three children who survive him: Linda Summers Wagner and husband, Ed Wagner of Port Lavaca, Toby Summers and wife, Lana Summers of San Antonio, and John M. Summers and wife, Nancy Summers of Meridian, Mississippi. E.T. and Lou Cretia were proud grandparents of Mary Rossi (Art), Benjamin W. Summers (Andrea), Raymond S. Wagner (Juliet), Zachary T. Summers (Jenny), Elizabeth Summers Gore (Rhett), Sarah Summers, and Caroline Summers. They were also proud great-grandparents of Jacob Rossi and Hannah Rossi. His grandchildren all fondly remember him singing “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck, and a hug around the neck, a Barrel and a Heap,” which he still sang to them occasionally. He is also survived by a sister, Elmire S. Cash, of Victoria, Texas.
E.T. was affectionately known by various terms of endearment such as Pops or Pappa by his family and as E.T or “Satch” by his friends. E.T. was an optimist and an encourager, and his optimism, enthusiasm, and zeal for life was always evident in his words and deeds. He chose to be positive, upbeat, and optimistic. The greatest legacy he leaves his family is that optimism, and his love, trust, and faith in God. Pops was never one to fail to publicly express his love for God, Family, Coca-Cola, Trust Texas Bank, or his beloved hometown Cuero, Texas. He was also not one to keep a “good news” secret because he was so proud of his family and friends and wanted to share their good news with anyone and everyone he knew.
E.T. enjoyed three rewarding careers. He attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army before returning to civilian life following the conclusion of World War II. He always remained grateful to the U.S. Army for sending him to Harvard Business School. He was active in the family business, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Cuero, Texas from 1939 until 1985, having served as President from 1955 to 1985. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Trust Texas Bank (formerly Cuero Federal Savings & Loan Association) from 1951 until his death, serving as its Chairman from 1990 through 2013.
He considered himself blessed beyond measure and was humbled by his many blessings. It was his feeling of humble blessing that caused him to be drawn to Psalms 100:3: “Know ye that the Lord, he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” He realized that he was not self-made or man-made but rather God made.
E.T. was very active in the local and regional community as well as in Soft Drink Industry. In his local community he served at various times as a member of the Cuero City Council, the Cuero Industrial Foundation, and the Cuero Community Hospital Foundation. He was recognized by his community as Sultan of the 1960 Turkey Trot, 1966 Cuero Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and 1989 Cuero Independent School District Distinguished Service Award. He represented DeWitt County on the Board of the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority for three terms. He served as President of the Texas Soft Drink Association, Board Member of the National Soft Drink Association, and Board Member of the National Coca-Cola Bottlers Association.
E.T. and Lou Cretia began in 1952 to lovingly restore the Gohmert home which was recognized as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1972 and a National Historic Place in 1988. They loved to entertain family and friends in their home, and it was the location for many memorable occasions including their annual Christmas Party. It was also the family gathering spot for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthdays. E.T. and Lou Cretia enjoyed traveling, and jokingly said that their bags were always packed. They traveled abroad more than 40 times over a span of 50 years taking some of their grandchildren on many of those trips.
E.T. was grateful for the loving support that he received from Gean Mathis (and her daughters Poochie and Katherine) from 2005 until his death. He always appreciated the care and attention that he received from his physician and personal friend, Dr. Raymond R. Reese. He was also most grateful for the friendship and support of Bobby and Fern Lane, Rose Solis Hisquierdo, Cheryl and Jay Bramlette, Glenn and Nancy Diedrich, Mary Sheppard, Bill and Nancy Blackwell, Pat and Karen Elder, Janet Smith, Paul Gebauer, Glenn Portis, Pat and Abby Kelly, Mose Nobles, Donnie and Sue Garrison, Ann Drehr, Carlisle Maxwell, Bill Howard, Jay Howard, Greg Gossett, Ken Stimson, Mike Weber, Barry Wineinger, Ray Reese, Bryan Haun, and Shay Iacopanelli. E.T. and his family also want to acknowledge the excellent care he received in San Antonio from Dr. Paul Smith and the staff of The Forum at Lincoln Heights including Debbie, Elizabeth, Natalie, Abby, Priscilla, Bassie, Vickie, Red, Raquel, Rachel, Alicia, and Lucy. Special thanks to Patti Ferraro and Karen Kennedy who were so kind to him over the past seven months.
Pallbearers will be Bill Howard, Cheryl (Sassy) Bramlette, Greg Gossett, Mike Weber, Bobby Lane, Mary M. Sheppard, Mose Nobles, Pat Kelly, and Carlisle Maxwell.
The family will receive visitors at Freund Funeral Home on Friday, May 16, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. A private family graveside service on Saturday, May 17, 2014 will be followed by a Celebration of the life of E.T. Summers, Jr. at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Cuero.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mission Road Ministries, 8706 Mission Road, San Antonio, TX 78214 or to the charity of the donors’ choice.
Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.
