Benjamin Kirt Sumers, of Valley Springs, Arkansas, was welcomed into Heaven on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, after a long illness. He was 75 years old.

The son of Albert and Elsie (Clayton) Sumers was born April 28, 1950, in Dover, Arkansas.

Kirt graduated from Dover High School in May 1968. Shortly after, he volunteered for the Vietnam Conflict by joining the US Air Force in July 1968. He would go on to serve in the Philippines and Taiwan. He was a proud soldier, and his first enlistment inspired a military career that would span over 24 years. He joined the Arkansas National Guard in 1978 and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1980 at Camp Robinson, in North Little Rock. He also went on to attend college at Arkansas Tech, becoming the first in his family to graduate college, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1982.

In 1990, he was called to active duty and deployed with the 1st Battalion 142nd to Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, where he was proud to serve. He retired as Captain Sumers in 1999. Kirt always respected his men and his country.

While serving in the National Guard, Kirt also held several jobs in the area, including the Employment Security Division, a deputy for Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Claridge Products, Auto Zone, and District Manager at Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

He was a black belt in taekwondo. In 1976, when he and Susan moved to Harrison, he began teaching karate at North Arkansas Community College and even had a small downtown studio for a while. He loved to do round house sidekicks over friends heads.

Cars, guns, and motorcycles were among his favorite toys and topics to talk about. Some of his grandson Zane’s favorite memories revolve around the two of them working on or talking about those things and Zane also remembers that the TV was often too loud in the last several years.

Kirt was a changed man in recent years. He had a deep and special love for Jesus, his church, and his church family at Western Grove Bible Church. His biggest concern during his illness was that his friends and family were going to meet him in heaven.

Kirt and Susan were married for 51 years. They would both tell you that a marriage is worth a lifetime of commitment. Their love grew exponentially in the last 20 years, with many precious moments together in the last few months.

He was known as a kind and honest man who cared deeply about people. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His service and dedication to his country and his community touched many lives and his memory will be treasured by those who loved him and those whose lives he influenced. Kirt was truly a big man with a kind heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Sumers and Elsie Clayton Sumers Cook; his daughter, Laura Grace Sumers; and his brothers, Claude Ray "Bob" Sumers and Edward "Eugene" Sumers.

Kirt is survived by his wife, Susan Joie (Goates) Sumers; his son and daughter-in-law, Nathaniel and Kim Sumers; his grandson, Samuel "Zane" Sumers; two sisters, Betty Adams and husband Ron, and Carol Jean James; beloved sisters and brothers in law and their spouses; several nieces, nephews, extended relatives and many dear friends.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM, both on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison. Pastor Dennis Sisco and Wiley Jones will officiate.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:30 PM, Friday, April 17 at Goates Cemetery in Scottsville, Arkansas (near Dover) under the direction of Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison.

Pallbearers are Nat Sumers, Zane Sumers, Tony Rosenberg, Glen Stewart, Jacob Williams, Ricky Hudson, Wiley Jones, and Justin Matlock.

Honorary pallbearers are Hulan Hudson, Dusty Summers, Travis Holt, the Western Grove Bible Church Family, and the Harrison Dialysis Staff.

Memorial donations can be made to Jews for Jesus or Wounded Warriors.

On-line condolences can be left at www.coffmanfh.com.