February 6, 2005 -- This morning at approximately 7:30 God called for a Composer Laureate and Dr. Macon Sumerlin answered the call.  He had explored and mastered all the technologies that earth had to offer in his pursuit to convey the music in his soul and can now be free to compose without constraint. God bless Bobbie, Mike, John and the rest of the Sumerlin family.

Abilene Reporter-News Article- Feb. 8, 2005

Obituary - Feb. 8, 2005

Macon Dee Sumerlin of Sealy, formerly of Abilene, died Sunday, February 6, 2005, at his home. He was 85 years old.

He was born on October 24th, 1919, in the North Roby community of Fisher County, Texas, the oldest child of Arthur Dee and Essie Mae Weems Sumerlin.  He was a graduate of Roby High School, Hardin-Simmons University, and The University of Texas at Austin. He did his doctoral studies in Music Composition at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the Texas Guild of Composers.  He was one of the earliest composers and teachers of electronic music. His musical compositions have been performed by orchestras, bands and choirs throughout the United States. He was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

He served as an Air Force instructor during World War II.

He taught Music Theory and Composition at both Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University in Abilene, serving for a time as Chairman of the Division of Fine Arts at McMurry.  He was an excellent teacher who was able to convey to his many students the complexities of the craft and art of music in a logical and understandable way.  His was an inventive and enquiring mind, and he never stopped learning. 

He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sealy, and he was a 32nd degree Mason.

He is survived by his loving family: Bobbie, his wife of 53 years; two sons, John Sumerlin of Providence, Rhode Island, and Mike Sumerlin and his wife, Rindy, of Houston; one grandson, Austin Sumerlin of Houston; two sisters, Merle Lovett and her husband, Dwight, of Roby, Texas, and Margarette Petre and her husband, Noel, of Abilene, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sealy at 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 10, 2005.

Memorials may be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1477, Sealy, Texas 77474 ; Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 East Horton, Brenham, Texas 77833; Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest Music Fund, 302 Meander, Abilene, Texas 79602; or to the donor’s favorite charity.