Jimmy had many wonderful memories of early childhood with his grandparents, Stanley and Alma Greenhill, at their farm outside Milford, Texas. He grew up in Oak Cliff, graduating from Kimball High School in 1964. He joined the Air Force January 1, 1966 and served in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Guam, Okinawa, and Thailand.
Jim had a career in the telecommunications industry starting with Western Electric Co. and retiring from Lucent Technologies.
He married his wife, Dorothy in 1971. The birth of his daughter, Jennifer, in 1974 was his proudest family moment. He coached girl's fastpitch softball for 9 years for Jennifer and their team hosted the Girl's National Fastpitch Tournament in 1990.
He had an artist's eye. He enjoyed drawing, creating "found" art pieces, and photography, serving as President of the Houston Photographic Society. He especially liked making electronic toys for his grandson, Neil. He enjoyed running, participating in many races, including the Houston Marathon in 1980. An avid audiophile, he enjoyed building, repairing and modifying vacuum tube audio gear, FM tuners, turntables, and speakers. He co-founded FMTunerInfo.com and enjoyed many hours with his audio friends in listening sessions.
Jim was baptized as a teen at East Temple Baptist Church in Oak Cliff. He had fond memories of watching his Grandpa Summit baptize congregants at the low water bridge in Sims, Arkansas. As a Member of First Presbyterian Church of Richardson, he loved helping with children in Sunday School and the First Friday Program. He also served on the Fellowship committee and helped with church maintenance with the Sometimers group.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jack W. Rivers, his mother, Dorothy Rivers Summit, and his step-father, Creo A. Summit. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Dorothy "Dee", his daughter Jennifer McClenaghan and husband Scott, grandson, Neil McClenaghan, sisters Nancy Price, Pam Stinson and husband Jim, Sharon Taggart and husband Steve, Michelle Turner and husband John, brothers John Summit and wife Alexis, Glenn Rivers, and step mother, Barbara Rivers. He is also survived by many friends and a loving family of in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church of Richardson, 271 Walton St., Richardson, TX.
