David Francis Sumpter, Jr.

David (Dave) Francis Sumpter, Jr. passed peacefully on March 31, 2025 after a brief illness, just 17 days shy of his 95th birthday. He was born on April 17, 1930, in Los Angeles, California, to his parents, David Francis Sumpter and Frances Luvanna Gwynn. He was the oldest of his siblings, Sylvia Loretta, Tennessee Joy, Jo Ann and Robert Gwynn. Dave started working at an early age to help support his family by selling candy on the docks. After graduating from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in May 1947, he enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Ord. While serving at Fort Ord, he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Rechtien. They were married for 60 years until her death in 2014.

After the Army, Dave attended the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in May 1957. After graduation, he worked at McDonnell Douglas Technical Services Company in St. Louis, Missouri and later at Glenn L. Martin Company in Baltimore, Maryland. Dave and his family of four children, Louise Ann, Thomas David, Elaine Irene and Julie Marie, returned to Santa Clara, California in 1962, where he worked at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. He first worked in the propulsion department on the Polaris Project and then the Agena and Gemini Projects. In 1977, he was registered as a Professional Engineer in Corrosion Engineering by the State of California and he eventually switched from rockets to satellite systems and moved to Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation. He later returned to Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation, where he retired in 1993.

Dave was an inspiration to all who knew him. As a longtime, dedicated member of the Santa Clara community he was very involved at St. Justin Parish Community as an usher and designated hugger and greeter. He also played basketball, and fast pitch softball throughout his life and in his later years was a bowler and avid golfer and member of the Santa Clara Golf Club. He remained a great sports fan of local teams throughout his life.

Dave had a long and blessed life and he will be missed by his family who loved him dearly. He is survived by the four children that he shared his life with - Louise, Tom (Janet), Elaine (Jim) and Julie (Jim). He also has nine amazing grandchildren Daniel (Ranjani), Katie, Michael, Mary (Francisco), Sarah, Colette (Patrick), David (Katy), Marielle and Scotty and four great grandchildren - Oliver, Callum, Nikhil and Adriana that he adored. He is also survived by his sister JoAnn.

We would like to thank his long time caregiver, Eduardo Pichardo, for his help these past 5 years. We couldn’t have done it without Eduardo, who Dave adored.

A visitation for David will be held Monday, April 14, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with Rosary at 6:00PM at Lima Family Santa Clara, 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050. A Funeral Mass will occur Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St Justin Catholic Church, 2655 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051. Interment to be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in David's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association, or to a charity of your choice.