Obituary of Gilbert Sumner

SUMNER, Gilbert "Gil", age 62 of Mt. Juliet passed away February 25, 2011. Mr. Sumner began his career in the US Navy where he served two years of active duty. From 1970 to 1977, he worked as a police officer on the West Coast of central Florida. Mr. Sumner then worked for the Airport Authority in Nashville, TN from 1979 to 1997. In 1997, he became a Special Agent for the Federal Aviation Administration, inspecting 18 area airports. Following this position, Mr. Sumner accepted a position with the TSA as Assistant Federal Security Director for Inspections in 2002. He then transitioned to the position of Deputy Federal Security Director for Knoxville, then for all three East TN Region airports. Mr. Sumner enjoyed working on rebuilding his '68 Camaro and playing golf. He attended Mt. Juliet First Baptist Church. Mr. Sumner was preceded in death by father, Leon Sumner; step-father, Jerry Hoffman; and father-in-law, Vernon Burt. He is survived by wife of 28 years, Norma Paxton Sumner; mother, Virginia Hoffman; son, Eric (Heather) Hesson; sister, Alice Hoster; brothers, Lee (Sharon) Sumner, Wayne (Cindy) Sumner, and Tony Sumner; granddaughter, Erica Hesson; mother-in-law, Mildred Burt; 1 brother-in-law; 2 sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 28th at 1 pm at Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet with Bro. Billie Friel officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens with Troy Sumner, Travis Sumner, Joey Sumner, Dalton Hodge, William Bates, George Howard, Jr., George Howard, III, and Norman Paxton serving as pallbearers. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, February 27th from 4-8 pm and Monday, February 28th from 11 am until time of service. Arrangements by SELLARS FUNERAL HOME AT MT JULIET, 2250 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com