Dennis Rex Summers

Dennis Rex Summers left this Earth to be with the Lord at the age of 77 in Anderson,IN after a long and painful battle with cancer. Dennis was born on September 28,1946 to Harold "Mike" Summers and Evelyn Bielhartz Summers Glass. Dennis was raised in Alexandria where he attended Alexandria schools. He spent most of his life in the Alexandria/Anderson area of Madison County IN. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1963-1965 during vietnam. He went to the naval academy in Michigan and was stationed in Kingsville, Tx as a jet engine mechanic. Dennis was a licensed EMT and drove an ambulance when his daughter Regina Summers came into this world in 1978. He was a cross country semi driver for many years. He was a professional painter by trade but was also a skilled plumber,carpenters helper, and poured and finished concrete which he done with his nephew Rick Whitaker. He was a craftsman as well and really enjoyed hand tooling leather. His last and final project was painting a small shelf for his great grandson Drayvin Pardue and you could just see the joy it brought to him to do so. He was basically a jack of all trades and master of most of them. Dennis was a black ja dealer for a short time in Las Vegas which he proudly told everyone about. He loved the sport of fishing but he didnt like to clean em so he would usually throw em back. He wouldnt miss a nascar race and even recorded them so he wouldnt miss it. Dennis loved his daughter Regina and would do anything to show her that. He cherished his granddaughter Destiny Shoultz and had stated his approval of her partner Damon Pardue when they brought his great grandson Drayvin into his life. He married only 1 woman, Nancy Adams, who even though they were divorced was a lifelong friend. He spent 33 years with his life partner Teresa Swallows Bradberry whom he loved dearly. He enjoyed spending weekends at his nephew Marc and Nora Coty's house playing cards with his great nephews Eric Cardona,Spencer and Adin Coty (Hallie,Nikolaus,Heaven,Zackariah)along with 1 of his other nephews Gene York. He raised another daughter Tammy Moss Coty and he was papaw to her kids TJ and Joshua Burke and Katie Clark. He often spoke of his other nephews Monty Thompson, Randy Ice,and Jackie Retter and his niece Jill Burton. He would also make mention of his great nieces and nephews Christina, Christopher, and Nicholas York, Erin and Jeremy Thompson,Kayleigh Honeycutt,and Jacquelyn Rowlen. He enjoyed a good rhubarb pie his sister Judy Hobbs would him make for his birthday every year and it would always brighten his day when his sister Sandy Hershey would stop in to say hi now and again.He acted mean and tough at times but he was just a big teddy bear with a kind heart who would help anyone he could.He had many conversations with his daughter about God and he made sure he got right with the Lord and gave his life to him and he had peace knowing he was forgiven for all the things he did wrong in life. He was well taken care of in his last days with the help of longtime family and friends Tina Swallows, Raymond Gilbert and Patty Gilbert. He had a special place in heart for so many extended family and friends. Elliott and Tina Swallows (Elliott Jr, Charlie, Michael Ray, Randall, Nikki) Randy Swallows (Jonathan,Della and Tommy, Sarah, David,Daniel,Brian) Crystal Swallows,Ronnie Swallows,Christina Mcdaniel (Emma,Natalie,Carson), Carisma Welker, Caleb Bair, The Morelands,Jeannie Ford (Sony, Nikki, Macy) Jeff and Tammy Aynes, JD Pugh,Teresa Lester, Angie and Mike Ellis,Kevin Ellis, Kenneth Kidwell.He was preceded in death by both his parents, sister Pam Dowden, 2 nephews Jim York and Mike Coty and great nephew Derek Ice. Also preceding him were all of his very best friends in life, Eddie "Goldy" Williams, Roger Little, Kenneth Ellis, Johnny Cooper, and John Ford. Sharing in the same day of passing was extended niece Brittany Ellis. Services will be held on Friday September 27th 6-8 at Whetsel Funeral Home in Alexandria,IN with a 21 gun salute by the Elwood Honor Guard at 6:15. Regina will be speaking at 7:15 services will dismiss at 8 pm with a special song to be played in honor of and to carry out Dennis' last and final request before his cremation, Immediately following the service will be a dinner held at Central Community Chapel 1004 Indiana Ave Anderson IN. All family and friends are invited at central community chapel with the help of Riverview CCCU at 1004 Indiana Ave, Anderson,IN. All family and friends invited.