Family Log-In

Click Here

Richard Robert “Dick” Summerlin Jr., 91 passed away peacefully with family on October 3rd, 2016 after a long illness.

Graveside services are planned for Tuesday October 11th, 2016 at 11:15 AM at the South Florida National Cemetery, located 6501 South State Road 7, Lake Worth, Florida 33449 with Military Honors. Please be punctual as service times are scheduled every 15 minutes.

There will be an informal gathering to celebrate Dick’s life after the graveside services at Mama Mia’s located at 8855 Hypoluxo Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33467, phone 561-963-9565. Directions – Exit the cemetery, travel south on State Road 7 to the first traffic signal (Hypoluxo Road). Turn left at the traffic signal and proceed east on Hypoluxo Rd to the next traffic signal at Jog Road. The restaurant is located in the Publix plaza on the Northeast corner.

In Lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation be made in Richard’s name to Samaritan’s Purse or Operation Christmas Shoebox at Ranger Baptist Church at 151 Walker Rd, Murphy, NC 28906.

Dick’s life began as the oldest son of 10 children on Christmas Day 1924 to Richard Sr. and Claudia Summerlin, in their 1 bedroom home in Fort Pierce, Florida on the St. Lucie River.

Fishing was the family business and Dick was a part of it along with his brothers and sisters. Dick continued to enjoy fishing and diving his entire life until his conditions prevented him from enjoying his lifelong hobby.

Richard was a WWII active duty veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a baker, which was another lifelong passion, he especially loved making a variety of breads and his “special” donuts for his family to enjoy. Dick was honorably discharged from the US Navy serving from May 1943 to April 1946.

Dick moved to Fort Lauderdale area in the early 1950’s and settled in the Pompano Beach area, becoming a deputy constable before the City of Pompano Beach’s Police Department.

Richard met and married the love of his life Judith Haslam in 1957 and began their lives together having 2 children, Wayne and Dena and 2 children from his previous marriage, Richard III “Dicky” and William “Bill”.

Dick and Judy began their lifelong family business in Pompano Beach, opening “Dick’s Bail Bonds” and served the community for over 30 years at several locations in the city. Dick was a member of the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce and was well-respected by members of the law enforcement and legal communities in Broward County, Florida.

Richard Summerlin was a devoted Christian man, a deacon and church member of Cypress Creek Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church in Pompano Beach and Ranger Baptist Church in Murphy, North Carolina. Dick and Judy were involved in many missions throughout their entire lives and made many mission trips to Peru and many other countries, including a mission trip to Israel.

After Dick’s retirement, he and Judy traveled taking several cruises including two cruises to Alaska. Dick and Judy also fell in love with an area called Murphy located in Southwestern North Carolina purchasing their dream home in the mountains, spending 6 months there and 6 month back at their home in Pompano Beach.

Dick and Judy loved animals and had many miniature poodles in their early years and later in life rescued several dogs and cats, whom also made those trips back and forth every 6 months.

Dick and Judy loved the island of South Bimini, Bahamas so much they bought an old abandoned church of a planned community called Port Royale and converted it into a 1 room house they named as the “Church House” which seemingly reached back to his early childhood of growing up in a 1 room house!

The Summerlin’s invited and entertained many, many friends and family in their island getaway for nearly 40 years with beautiful beaches, fishing and diving and those little mini bikes. Many friends and his sister purchased homes on the island as well.

Richard’s wife, Judith preceded him in death in August 2015, Richard is survived by his Sons’ William, Wayne and daughter, Dena Shafer. Richard has 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Dick was loved dearly by his family and friends and will be greatly missed but we know he now resides in Heaven with Jesus, Judy, Dicky and all his brother and sisters.

Affiliations