G. Allen Sumsion

Sometimes, the men in my dad’s family laughed with a sharp, gravelly staccato. It sounded surprised and mirthful and, frankly, mischievous. Any time I said or did something that drew that laugh, I felt suddenly present, aware, alive, and connected. 

That laugh was as grounding as it was joyful. 

My Uncle Allen, the last of the four Sumsion siblings, had that laugh. He died today. 

He was kind. He was sassy. He thought about things. He sent me a long, generous response to reading Sky Ropes in which he tried to honestly imagine what my dad would have had to say. That was amazing.  

I was washing dishes after I got the news. The physical work was a comfort in a way that sitting at my desk is definitely not. I ran warm water. I soaped a plate. I felt like my feet and hands were disconnected from my legs and arms. And that felt true. 

Something deeply connecting and grounding in my world has passed with my Uncle Allen. His warmth was steadying. He affectionately and deliberately called me Sonnie, my childhood nickname, all my life. He was a strong throughline to my grandparents and parents. He gathered the stories, and he shared them. He showed up, once even across the country at my house in Michigan. And his presence, with its good will, calmness, hope, and humor, felt like a bulwark against hard things.  

My heart is with my beloved cousins tonight. 

How we will miss him and his wondrous laugh. 

— Sondra Sumsion Soderborg, July 10, 2024

 ——

 Our dad, George Allen Sumsion (the George is silent), left us at the way-too-young (for us) age of 86. He and our mom, Linda, were married for an amazing 60 years.  

He was born in Moroni, Utah, to Maud and George Spafford Sumsion (his George was silent too). He was the younger brother of Betty, Ray, and Jerry. 

Your love of our dad isn’t surprising. Where it started may be. Perhaps it was while he was adventuring in one of these areas: 

• - Working on his parents’ turkey farm
• - Missionarying in New Zealand (1958-1961)
• - Earning his BS from Utah State and/or MBA from the U of U
• - Running the clock at Utah football games (70s and 80s)
• - Serving as Bishop of the Bountiful 31st Ward (1977-1982)
• - Volunteering with Linda at Legacy House
• - Championing the color brown
• - Traveling the world
• - Offering expertise (only when asked!) about every conceivable topic
•  

Or maybe it was iTransact. With son Mike he started the company (as RediCheck), which employed scores of people, including all of his kids. Thus, he succeeded in keeping us close to each other both geographically and emotionally. 

Left here in his tangible absence are his children Laura & Michael Barila, Matt & Tracie Sumsion, Mike & Becky Sumsion, Amy (Poulson) & Jeremy Terry, and Chris & Ashley Sumsion; many grandchildren and their significant others; a growing number of great-grandchildren; countless others who consider him the closest of friends; a grandkitten named George (who is not silent); and a garage full of Diet Coke. 

You are invited to say goodbye with us. His funeral will be held on Friday, July 26th, 2024 (our mom’s birthday) at the Bountiful 31st Ward chapel (585 E. Center) at 11:00 a.m. Viewings will be held there that morning from 9:30 to 10:30 and at Russon Mortuary (295 N. Main) on Thursday, July 25th, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate $35 (about the price of a Norbest turkey) to the Bountiful Food Pantry: bountifulfoodpantry.org.