Kermit Elkins Summerall Jr. died on July 2, 2026 at the age of 77 in his home in Huntsville, Alabama due to natural causes. 

He was born on January 7, 1949 to parents Kermit Elkins Summerall Sr. and Mavis Eugene Brewer in Eupora, Mississippi. He had an older sister Myrna and a younger sister, Frankie. His father was an electrician and his mother was a homemaker. He grew up in Mississippi and later moved to north Alabama. His childhood was difficult. Gentle and sensitive, he was often sick with allergies, and after his parents divorced when he was young, his mother worked tirelessly to provide for and nurture the family. He graduated from Sheffield High School in 1967. He studied at Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama). He served our country in the Navy in the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1970 aboard the repair ship USS Sphinx in the Mekong Delta region. He was an electrical repairman who repaired and maintained the electronics and motors of many river patrol boats. Being a Vietnam Veteran always meant a lot to him, and he would often walk in veterans parades and seek to encourage other Vietnam Veterans. Although he served bravely and was honorably discharged, he was never the same after Vietnam, suffering from PTSD and much unresolved mental anguish.

 After coming home from Vietnam, he was married to Margaret Lois Lowe in 1973. He attended Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City, Missouri from 1973-1976. His only child, a son, Kermit Elkins Summerall III was born on March 2, 1975. He graduated in 1976 with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. He was a very caring and skilled chiropractor who helped many people over the years, including patients other doctors had been unable to help. Over his career, he established practices in Elberton and Athens, Georgia, before settling in Huntsville, Alabama. His patients remember and appreciate his gentle and caring manner. He was an extremely proud and protective father who was determined to give his son the love, protection, and encouragement he himself had longed for as a child. 

Some of his favorite lifetime memories were times spent with his son enjoying Star Wars movies and toys, playing Legos, and drawing together. He loved seeing his son sing, act, play instruments, and preach in school concerts and musicals and church worship services. Kermit always loved looking at, talking about, and driving cars. He especially liked white sports cars: from his white Chevrolet Corvette in his 20's to his white Lotus Esprit and white Toyota Supra in his 30's to his white BMW 850iL and white Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 in his 40's. He also enjoyed electronics and music, especially having a high-quality stereo to play gospel, contemporary Christian, 70's and 80's pop/rock, and movie soundtracks. In 1983, Kermit was hit by a car as a pedestrian causing a concussion that further exacerbated his PTSD symptoms. This injury caused him to lose his very successful chiropractic practice in Elberton, Georgia and forced his family to move to Athens, Georgia in 1984 to set up a new practice. Two years later, in 1986, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama where he spent the rest of his life helping many patients.

 In 1987, tragedy struck Kermit's life when his younger sister Frankie was murdered. Kermit and Margaret were separated in 1993 and divorced in 1998. Kermit's only hope in life and death was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Kermit grew up very active in church and professed faith in Jesus at an early age. In his letters from Vietnam to his mother, he not only displayed great care and love for his family but a very personal and meaningful faith. He prayed daily for his family, sought to be a witness to his fellow soldiers, and relied on Jesus to help him through the war. As he saw the suffering and deaths of his fellow soldiers, he wrote, "I prayed that these guys had known Jesus as their personal Savior. … I know that I certainly would go crazy over here if I didn't have Jesus on my side." He attended many churches and loved listening to sermons online.

 He will be buried with military honors at the Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri in early fall 2026.

Kermit is survived by his son Kermit Elkins Summerall III and his wife Nicole Chardonay Summerall and his three grandchildren: Anna Joy Mills, Hudson Josiah Summerall, and William Jude Summerall. He is also survived by his sister Myrna Crittenden. His family and friends' deepest hope for him is the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."