ProRodeo Sports News - February 9, 2018

PRCA NOTES

working as a ranch hand that he decided he wanted to rodeo. Initially, he got on some saddle broncs but changed that to riding bulls. In later years, he took up team roping and judging rodeos. In the 1970s, Sumerlin took up endurance riding and was a member of the AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference), founded a Northwest chapter of endurance riders, PNER (Pacific Northwest Endurance Riders). He won the AERCNational Championship in 1976. Sumerlin got a job with Pringle Power-Vac Inc. as a salesman. Eventually, he and his wife purchased the business. He retired from that business in 1995. As a business owner, Sumerlin was an active sponsor of PRCA’s Columbia River Circuit. Sumerlin was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Anita Louise Kilmer; and daughter Jennifer Sumerlin. Sumerlin is survived by four children from his first marriage, John (Keta) Wesley Sumerlin, Kimberly Irene Langis, Julie Diane Sumerlin, and Kevin (Sharon) Douglas Sumerlin. He is survived by three children with his wife Sarah (Sally), Jody (Cary) James Sumerlin, Jarrod (Mary) Jason

Sumerlin, and Jeremy (Amber) Lee Sumerlin. He also is survived by 35 grandchildren, 31 great- grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor toWalla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362

PASSAGES

JOHN JAMES SUMERLIN

John James Sumerlin, a former PRCA saddle bronc rider, bull rider and rodeo judge, passed away Jan. 24 inWalla Walla, Wash. He was 74. Sumerlin was born inWalla Walla on Jan. 11, 1944, to Charles Wesley (Wes) Sumerlin and Natalie Leonetti Sumerlin. He attended grade school at Washington School and high school at DeSales. Sumerlin was married in 1960 and entered the Air Force at 17. He was a fire protection specialist and stationed at Fairchild AFB and Fort George Wright, both in Spokane, Wash. He had four children during his first marriage. He married Sarah (Sally) Hults Sumerlin on Dec. 21, 1968. After his discharge from the military, Sumerlin was living in Joseph, Ore. It was there

ARRIVALS

QUINCY COTTON ROSSER Born Jan. 23 to PRCA stock contractor Reno Rosser and his wife, Nicole, of Yuba City, Calif., a boy, Quincy Cotton Rosser. Quincy weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 20 inches long. This is the couple’s first child.

Quincy Rosser

James Phifer photo

Barrelman Troy Lerwill peeks out the top of his barrel as a bull eyes him Jan. 19 at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. Hide and Seek

ProRodeo Sports News 2/9/18

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