Stephen Summers

Summers, Stephen Earl (Steve), 74, of Bradenton passed away peacefully on Friday, November 19, 2021. His wife of 51 years LaDonna was at his side.

Steve was born in Vincennes, Indiana on January 16, 1947, to Owen and Doris Summers. The family included two older sisters, Susie and Kay.  He moved to Bradenton in 1948 and attended the Bradenton Boys’ Club for many years as well as Ballard Elementary, Walker Junior High and Southeast High School. He played football and basketball for Southeast and in 1965 was All-Conference and All-State in basketball. He held several scoring records while at Southeast and received a basketball scholarship and played varsity basketball for Florida State University.

After college he married his high school sweetheart LaDonna and joined Champion Home Builders, a publicly traded company. He moved several times with Champion over 23 years and retired as President of the company. He and LaDonna then returned to Bradenton, where he became a partner and CFO with the real estate development company of Buskirk, Summers and Gravely. He was still active until his death.

Steve was an avid reader, investor, loyal sports fan and had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved the Seminoles and adored his three daughters, Bridget, Shelby, and Molly, as well as his five grandchildren. He was a true southern gentleman, generous and had a brilliant mind for finance. More than anything else, he was devoted to his family and his faith.

He is survived by LaDonna, daughters Bridget (Jay) Sheffer of Parrish; Shelby (Gary) Salvador of Jacksonville Beach; and Molly (Wade) Jamison of Bradenton; grandchildren Sydney, Katie, Josephine, Stephen and Sadie; sister Susie (Frank) Moore of Marietta, GA; cousin Bill Summers (Lynne) Vancouver, WA; business associate and longtime family friend Debi Smith.  He was preceded in death by parents Owen and Doris Summers and his sister Kay.

Steve also had many extended family members and dear friends he loved as family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to First United Methodist Church, 603 11th Street West, Bradenton, FL. 34205, or the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County, P.O. Box 280, Bradenton, FL. 34206.

A remembrance gathering will be held at Bradenton Country Club, December 4, 2021, at 11:00am, 4646 Ninth Avenue West, Bradenton, FL. 34209.