Arthur Calvin Mr. Summers, Jr

WADESBORO - Mr. Arthur Calvin Summers, Jr., 87, died Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at Carolinas Medical Center Union in Monroe. Funeral services will be 2:00pm Friday, March 29, 2013 at First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro with Rev. Benny Clodfelter officiating. Entombment will follow in Anson Memorial Park. The family will greet friends Thursday from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Leavitt Funeral Home and other times at the home. Arthur was born January 28, 1926 in Huntington, WV a son of the late Arthur Calvin and Hattie McCoy Summers and grew up in Nicholas County, WV. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served during World War II. He was a graduate of West Virginia Institute of Technology and earned a Master's Degree from Pennsylvania State University. He did post graduate work at Appalachian State University and earned the Education Specialist Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Arthur moved to Lilesville in 1949 to become a high school teacher. His administrative career began in 1956 when he was selected to be the principal of Lilesville School. Four years later, when the county high schools were consolidated, he was chosen to be the first principal of Anson High School. In 1965, he was named Superintendent of the county school system. Then in 1967, the county system merged with the Wadesboro and Morven units; and he was chosen to be the Associate Superintendent of the new system. His leadership, human relations skills and attributes of fairness and impartiality were important as the school system began desegregation in 1967. Then in 1975, he was again named to superintendency of the school system where he remained until his retirement in 1987. His educational leadership was recognized throughout the state, and he was honored as N.C. Superintendent of the year in 1986, a cherished tribute to an impressive career that spanned 38 years as a teacher, coach, principal, associate superintendent and superintendent. Beyond education, Arthur's spirit of involvement has extended to numerous civic and church activities in Anson County, including First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro and Wadesboro Rotary Club. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed the competition and camaraderie of friends and colleagues on the golf course. He was affectionately known to his family and friends as 'Big A', a title which has significance far beyond his tall stature. Surviving are his wife, the former Betty Jo Hogsett of the home; his children, Dr. Kathryn S. Clark and husband, Dr. Thomas E. Clark of Cary, Arthur Clifford Summers and wife, Susan Coble Summers of Cary, NC and Charles Glenn Summers and wife, Lynn Lemon Summers of Fredricksburg, VA; his grandchildren, Banks and Colin Summers of Raleigh, Amanda Summers Dorazio and husband, Bobby of Fredricksburg, VA and Joshua Summers of Fredricksburg, VA; 3 great-grandchildren and his sister, Mary Lou Summers Meck of Campbell, CA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother, Geraldine Virginia Summers Mason and Ernest Glenn Summers. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Scholarship Fund, 118 E. Morgan St., Wadesboro, NC 28170 or to Anson County Relay for Life, % Carrie Bunn, 669 McRae Ave., Wadesboro, NC 28170. The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfuneralhomewadesboro.com