John William Sumrall, 95, of Huntsville, Alabama, formerly of Mobile, Alabama, passed away on September 6th, 2026. He was born in Jones County, Mississippi, to Lyman and Elsie Williams Sumrall. John was the eldest of five children. He married Patty Fleming Sumrall in 1952. He was a 1954 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University. He was a “Pop” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a long-time member of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, John was very active in their mission outreach and in the adult choir. He was also a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. After moving to Huntsville, John became a member of First Baptist Church of Huntsville.

After honorably serving in the Army for two years during the Korean War, John remained in the Army Reserves for an additional six years. John had a 50-year career as a Professional Engineer working for TVA, Reynolds Metals, Funk’s Seeds, and Ciba-Geigy. He was a long-term volunteer for the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Mobile, teaching and mentoring people about boating safety. He received multiple awards from the Coast Guard Auxiliary during his long service. Governor Guy Hunt appointed John to serve on the Alabama Small Business Development Center council, where he served for a number of years, helping develop many small businesses across the state.

John is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Patty Sumrall, and his daughter Linda Carstens. Survivors include son Fred Sumrall (Cindy) of Ooltewah, TN; daughters Teresa Covington (Jim) of Huntsville, AL and Susan Sumrall of Lincoln, IL; son-in-law Daren Carstens of Itasca, IL; grandchildren Christy Benner (Phil), Alan Covington (Emily), Jeremy Ohmart (Emily), Daniel Ohmart, Ruth Hale (Dustin), Timothy Carstens, Matthew Carstens, Samuel Carstens, and Madelyn Sumrall; great-grandchildren Philip Benner, Zoey Benner, Jacob Covington, Sophia Ohmart, and Addison Ohmart.

A private family celebration of life will take place at a later date.