A beloved coach and educator, Al Summers, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the age of 75.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Vicki Summers, and their three children: son Christopher and his wife Laurie, son Kevin, and daughter Kimberly and her husband Justin Roe.
Summers and Vicki walked down the aisle on June 16, 1973. On their 45th wedding anniversary, he wrote a heartfelt message on their long-term marriage:
We were married 45 years ago today. We have been through a lot, but the good times outweigh the bad by far. Faith in each other and faith in God has helped keep us together and going. Ready for another 45 years!
Al Summers
Together with his long-term married wife, Vicki, Summers explored all 50 states and spent blissful life together.
Al Summers also left behind his five grandchildren, Emma, Logan, Grayson, Leo, and Stella, his brother Edward, and his wife, Kathy Summers, along with numerous relatives and friends.
The beloved friend, Al Summers, was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.
Visitation for Al Summers will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schoedinger East Funeral Home, located at 5360 E Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
Likewise, a funeral service will follow on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the same location, with burial to take place at Pataskala Cemetery.
Born on June 16, 1949, in Dayton, Ohio, to Ernest and Alta Mae Summers, Al grew up with a passion for leadership and learning.
A graduate of Celina Senior High School, where he served as senior class president, Summers earned a Bachelor of Science from Bowling Green University. Later, she earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Dayton.
Summers’ legacy is perhaps most tied to his tenure as the boys’ basketball coach at St. Henry. Al Summers dedicated nearly three decades to St. Henry Middle School as both a teacher and basketball coach.
Initially serving as the long-time junior varsity coach, Al Summers stepped into the varsity role in 2000 after succeeding Fran Guilbault. That same year, he led the Redskins to the State Runners-Up trophy in a memorable season.
Even though no player on the team was taller than 6’2″, Summers’ clever “Pressure Switching Man-to-Man” defense, perfected over 12 years, helped the team reach the state championship game.
Thanks to his strategic brilliance, Al Summers earned a co-coach of the year honor from the Associated Press.
Beyond the court, Summers was a man of many talents and passions. An avid outdoorsman, he loved fishing trips in Missouri and frequent rounds of golf.
He was well-known by his friends and family for his cooking skills, especially his talent for making delicious steaks and seafood dishes.
We offer our heartfelt condolence to Summers’ wife, children, and extended family.
