Ernest “Ernie” James Sumner, 86, of Checotah, Oklahoma passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, at home surrounded by family.

He was born September 17, 1937, in Claremore to Grover and Iva (Hester) Sumner.

He was one of seven children that Grover and Iva raised on their farm in Non during the 1930’s and 1940’s which were hard times across the United States and especially in Southeastern Oklahoma. Working crops, trips to town, going to school was done by horse or mule much of the time.

From an early age, working alongside his family on the farm, Ernest “Dunn”, knew the value of hard work and determination.

He attended grade school in Gerty, Oklahoma and Junior High at Jones Academy in Hartshorne, Oklahoma. He attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, where he met Sallie Butler, and they graduated together in 1957.

Ernie had many nicknames throughout his life, but we will not mention the nickname he had at Haskell.

Ernest and Sallie were married Dec. 28, 1957, in Canadian County and in time raised their family north of Yukon, Oklahoma.

While attending Haskell, he began his life’s work in the masonry trade. After graduation he joined the Bricklayers Union of Oklahoma as an apprentice. In time he went to work for Botchlet Masonry as a foreman. Ernie “Chief” stayed with Jerry Botchlet and Botchlet Masonry for 20 years.

Ernie then started his own commercial masonry company, Ernest Sumner Masonry, in the early 1980’s and eventually retired in 2002. During his career he built many commercial buildings around the state of Oklahoma and surrounding states.

Ernest and Sallie moved to Lake Eufaula in 2002 where they have lived the last 21 years.

From an early age, horses were a part of Ernie’s life. He started riding and working in the fields with horses and mules at a very young age. His love of Quarter Horses led to the racing industry in the late 1970s. Ernie still has a horse in training getting ready to run at Remington Park in the Spring of 2024.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sallie Sumner, of the home.

Children Rick Sumner, Checotah, Stan Sumner, Denver, Colo, and Lisa Prince, Checotah.

Grandchildren Lisa Graham and husband Wes, Carter, Okla., Miles Sumner and wife Tanya, Fort Liberty, N. C., Cassandra Sumner, Tulsa, Okla., Chelsie Packham, Oklahoma City, Okla., Samantha Pemberton and husband Jake, Checotah, Okla. and Veronica Gragg and husband Brent, Bethany, Okla.

Great-grandchildren Jackson and Jase Bow, Bella and Benjamin Sumner, Oliver Packham, and Allie Gragg.