John Summerhill

John Summerhill, 73, of Bainbridge, GA, formerly of Carrabelle, FL, passed away Monday, February 27, 2017.A private memorial service will be held at a later date.The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017 at Ivey Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.John Lester Summerhill was born January 25, 1944 in Hawkinsville, GA, the son of Stephen Girard Summerhill and Eula Eleanor Creswell Summerhill. He attended college in Americus. John was the owner/operator of Summerhill Electric, Inc. until his retirement. He was of Baptist faith.Whether you knew him as John, Johnny, Daddy, Granddaddy, Butterbean or Pa you knew a strong willed, hardworking man. He cared for his family and his neighbors who described him as person who told you what he thought. John was also quite a comedian. He was a man of strong work ethic who instilled that in his children. He wore many hats in his lifetime; he worked for the CSX railroad, was an offshore commercial fishing captain and owned and operated Summerhill Electric, Inc. until his retirement. He loved animals and all things outdoors. He enjoyed gardening and fruit trees and had two green thumbs. He never minded hard work and took a leadership role in everything from business to his self-proclaimed role as Neighborhood Watch Captain. His favorite thing to do was fish and be on the water with his best friend Gary. He could find the best fishing holes on the Flint, the Lake, Spring Creek or 200 miles off shore. He was happiest with a reel in his hand, floating on the water. He could always tell stories from his days as a commercial fishing captain of all those that got away... from other people. Our loss is heavens gain. Another Captain gone home to prepare the way. He was loved dearly and will be missed by all.Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Vicky Smith Summerhill; his children, Gina Marie Furst of Morristown, TN, Carmen Summerhill of Crawfordville, FL, Cathy Smith and her husband, Sammy, of Bainbridge, GA, and Tommy Summerhill and his wife, Cindy, of East Point, FL; his siblings, Hobbie Summerhill and his wife, Issy, of Union Springs, AL and Nancy S. Breland of Bainbridge, GA; his grandchildren, Donald Cook, Alisha Caminiti, Steven Summerhill, Ricky Hathcock, Christian Hathcock, Morris Smith and Ellie Smith; his eight great-grandchildren; and his best friend and fishing partner, Gary Freeman. John was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter, Brandi Owens.