James W. Summerlin

Published 9:46 am Thursday, February 27, 2025

Longtime Brookhaven resident James Woodrow Summerlin (Jim) passed peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of February 11, 2025, at his home in Ventura, California. Jim was born in Casper, Wyoming on October 12, 1945, to Woodrow Wilson Summerlin and Mary Lou McGovern, and was raised in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by a sister, Mary Ann Allen.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of more than 61 years, Johnnie Summerlin; son, Jerome Summerlin (Trevor); daughter, Julie Latham (Van); and grandchildren, Emily Summerlin (Chris Hildrith), Wilson Summerlin, Madison Rondon (Jeremy), Wyatt Juul, and Dylan Juul, all living in California.  Jim is also survived by his sister Patricia Jones and her family in West Virginia, as well as numerous extended family members in Mississippi.

Jim loved to work and had a long career of more than 57 years in the oil and gas exploration and production industry that started in Mississippi / Louisiana / Gulf of Mexico in the mid-1960s and extended to California and the Santa Barbara Channel in the early 1970s. Jim enjoyed his career and his many work colleagues within the oil fields of California, as well as across the western United States and the Mississippi Delta.

Jim and Johnnie raised their family in California but purchased a home and regularly returned to Brookhaven to be close to family including John and Virgie Watts, Rodney and Gloria Case and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Jim always enjoyed visiting with his family in and around Brookhaven and sharing life experiences and stories, as well as family potluck gatherings.

Jim was a great provider for his family and extended family and was always happy to assist others in need.

His family and friends will miss him and will cherish his memory forever.