Jasper Sumner III
June 11, 1969 ~ July 10, 2018
Jasper Sumner III
49, of Mooresville, passed away July 10, 2018 at St Francis Hospital, Indianapolis. Jasper was born on June 11, 1969 in Jeffersonville, IN to Jasper Sumner Jr, and Martha l. (Little) Sumner.
Jasper received his Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma and later was a professor of Political Science at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. An outdoorsman and traveler, he visited Russia for a while before returning to the United States and loved spending time hiking outdoors, mountain climbing and exploring various places, especially, New Mexico and Colorado.
However, his greatest love was his daughter Geneva and would take her on many of his adventures, sharing his love of the outdoors with her.
He was preceded in death by his sister; Janine Sumner.
Left to cherish his memory is his daughter; Geneva Sumner, father and mother; Jasper Sumner Jr., Martha L. (Little) Sumner, brothers; Jasen (Jessey) Sumner, Justin (Maneesha) Sumner, niece; Naavya and former wife and friend; Natalie.
In accordance with Jasper’s wishes he will be cremated and a private service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or making a donation in Jasper’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
Final care and cremation are entrusted to Carlisle- Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville.
Please visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Jay & Martha, We are so sorry to hear about Jay. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The Willis family
Jay was a very bright light in everyone’s life. He was such a dear friend to our son, Neil. We have such fond memories of times that he spent at our house through high school. We remember much laughter during “basketball” championship games on our driveway with music playing loudly for the winner. He will be remembered with much love. Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Rich and Cindy Zlatniski
Sheila and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. May God Bless you and your family during this time.
Jasper was a co-worker, and a brilliant, well-liked teacher. I’m terribly sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Gail Bennett
I’m very sorry to hear the news. Jasper was one of my favorite students when he was an undergraduate. He was bright and curious and after he returned to IUPUI we used to compare notes on teaching approaches. Bob White.
I knew Jasper as “Jason”. & remember him from basketball at Mooresville. He was talented, & athletic, & had good size & always played hard! I didn’t know he went into education & it sounds like he liked it a lot. Sorry to hear of his passing. Sad to lose such a well-liked person and a good teacher, as we always need more like “Jason”. Always great to love what you do! I’m sure he will be missed …prayers to his family
Jasper was a great colleague and friend for many years. I always enjoyed discussing teaching, politics, and philosophy with him in Cavanaugh Hall. I also enjoyed hearing stories of his travels and mountain climbing adventures. I cherish the memories of the times our families got together to share meals or take the kids apple-picking. We all had a lot of fun. Jasper’s humor could be wicked and his laugh infectious. My husband Johnny joins me in sending our deepest condolences to Jasper’s family.
Jasper always made time to talk with-it and really listen to- students who were making decisions about their studies. I loved listening to conversations about political theory. And he was so excited to get the life-size, stand-up Batman. Deep sympathy for his family and friends.
Jay was my friend, a good man and an awesome basketball player. Jay was part of our wedding and we attended his wedding to Natalie. I even made an exception as a COLTS fan and bought a BRONCOS outfit for Geneva. I was saddened to hear of his passing late last night. Rest In Peace my friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family during this difficult time. God Bless.
We could tell many stories about Jasper, as a student, a friend, a colleague, and a utopian over a period of more than 25 years. We would often compare movies that we had seen, and joked that if one of us liked a particular movie, the other one probably wouldn’t. That wasn’t always the case, though, and he managed to convince us of the merits of one of his favorites, The Big Lebowski: although it took a while, the movie eventually grew on us, and we joked about the similarities between Jasper and the character of the Dude. We will miss you, Jasper, but will always know – thanks to you – that the Dude abides. John and Leanne.
Jay and Martha, Terry and I are so sad about the loss of Jay. Terry spoke about him and told me things about him. I did not know Jay personally but my heart breaks for both of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jay and Martha, I am so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. Prayers of peace for your family.
I am so very sorry. Jasper and I were office neighbors at IUPUI. I enjoyed so much seeing him each day at the office, joking with him constantly, talking tennis, and ribbing each other. He brightened my day without fail. We enjoyed needling each other over ideological differences, though I played up my admiration of Ronald Reagan to prod Jasper into his Marxist mode. I just really appreciated how much fun he had with ideas and debate. Like John, I had many great conversations with Jasper about movies and television shows. But undoubtedly, it was our common interest in tennis that sparked our most vigorous discussions. We even managed to find a time to hit twice (I think) at Riverside Park. The world is a less joyful place without Jasper. I send my most heartfelt condolences to his family, especially his daughter. I am terribly sorry and saddened.
We fondly, and with some amusement, remember boating with Jasper and Natalie. Jasper never could figure out Rick’s recipe for his special drink, much to his dismay. His dry humor will be missed. Rest easy, my friend.
I was Jasper’s academic advisor when he first returned to IUPUI after a break. He was one of the most motivated, dynamic students I have had the fortune to work with in my quarter century on campus. It was a joy to watch him take charge of his education and then turn around and help other students succeed, too. Oh, he will be missed. Blessed be his memory.
I worked with Jasper on a faculty committee that was developing a new course. He was clearly knowledgeable, intelligent, and passionate, open to new ways of doing things, and eager to connect his love of the outdoors to academic study. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues who clearly were blessed by his life.
Jasper was a bright light in my past during our years together at IUPUI. I feel so lucky that we got back in touch these past few years. I’ll never forget his smile, his wit and they way he would talk with his hands. My love and prayers go to all of his family.
Jasper invoked in me the love of political thought and teaching. I took so many classes with him and aspire to be a great professor and human being as he was. Jasper really made a difference in his student’s lives and for that, his memory will forever live. condolences to the family.
Jasper was my favorite professor at IUPUI. He had such a passion for what he taught and made me love what I was learning. I attribute me going to law schoop because of his inspiring and dedicated teaching. He made people think, and ask questions. We even made a Jasper Sumner bingo game to play in class with some of his favorite common phrases like “Groovy” “Cats” and his ever famous “okaaayyyy”, or whenever he mentioned the Broncos and the color orange. I will miss his boots/flip flops and the way he made the classroom enjoyable and memorable. Rest in Peace Professor.
Jasper affected me profoundly. He was a true mentor to me and I’m devastated to hear this news. He used to say that he would retire from teaching if an entire class stood on their desks and exclaimed “o’Captain my Captain” well from the bottom of my heart, O’Captain my Captain my friend.
Jasper taught my political philosophy course which was my capstone for my Political Science degree. I vividly remember Jasper tearing up at the end of the semester because of how dedicated his students were and saying that ,”This is what it is all about.” He regularly talked about his daughter and spending time with her outside. There also seemed to be no end to his love for a nice red wine, especially while sitting on his porch while the sun set. It was easy to see that he loved what he did and was passionate about sharing that with everyone. When we wanted an easier class my classmates and I would sidetrack the conversation by bringing up sports. All it took was a minor criticism on the Denver Broncos. I heard of his passing at my graduation from a classmate during preparation for our graduation ceremony. I crossed the stage with knowledge he shared with me and I felt honored to keep a little part of him alive.