Obituary of Benjamin H. Sumerau, Jr.

Benjamin “Benny” Sumerau, Jr., 76, of Gulf Breeze passed away peacefully from pneumonia on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Always a fighter, he died with his wife of 56 years, Judy Lamb Sumerau and his best friend of 25 years, Jim Carter, by his side. Husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend have been called by our Lord Jesus Christ and Benny is finally home. In 1960, Ben graduated from Baker High School in Columbus, GA where he met his high school sweetheart, Judy Lamb. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1961 and was stationed in Cherry Point, NC. Ben went to work in 1970 at Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation where he embarked upon an illustrious and successful career, retiring in 1994 as a regional vice president. After retiring to the Gulf Breeze area, Ben obtained his Florida Real Estate License and pursued his interest in local real estate. Ben enjoyed a fair competition. In his younger days, he loved to bowl and even had aspirations of becoming a professional bowler. He also enjoyed fishing and watching Alabama football. The pursuit of recreational activities gave way to the full-time responsibilities he had while raising his three grandchildren; Benjamin, Brandon and Bethany. He was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Harold Sumerau, Sr.; his mother, Helen Catherine Coats and his sister, Judy-Kay Sumerau Quinn. Ben leaves behind many beloved friends and family members including his wife of 56 years, Judy Lamb Sumerau; daughter, Kathryn Sumerau Bryant; his three grandchildren, Ben Bryant, Brandon Bryant and Bethany Bryant; his two brothers, Rusty Sumerau and Steve Sumerau and his two neices, Melissa Quinn Davis and Tonya Quinn. Ben was a kind and gentle man who made many loyal friends throughout his life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Ben’s interment will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Barrancas National Cemetery aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ben’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P O Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.