Baylor Mourns Death of Library Staff Member

Baylor University is mourning the death of Jimmy M. Summers Jr., senior academic consultant for faculty research, University Libraries-Electronic Library, who died early Sunday morning from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident in Waco.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Summers earned his BS in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University. He joined Baylor in December 2008 from TSTC, where he had served as master instructor in computer networking and systems administration.

“Although Jimmy had worked at Baylor and the Electronic Library for less than two years, he had become an integral part of the Academic and Research Computing Services (ARCS) group. His kind, giving spirit and tremendous talents will certainly be missed by his colleagues and friends at Baylor,” said Richard Gerik, director of electronic library client services.

Summers worked closely with Mike Hutcheson, the ARCS unit leader, who said Summers always exhibited a positive attitude and a light-hearted sense of humor.

“He enjoyed meeting people and getting to know them. I never saw anyone who could so easily chat up a stranger as if they'd been friends for years,” Hutcheson said. “The researchers that he worked with and championed always spoke highly of Jimmy and were grateful for his help.

“His faith in God was strong and he made it a point to live accordingly. Jimmy kept himself very busy with many interests and hobbies, such as hockey and motorcycle riding, but he never let them interfere with the needs of his family. They were always his first priority. My heart and prayers go out to them.”

In addition to working at Baylor, Summers was head coach and faculty adviser for Baylor’s club hockey team. He was active at First United Methodist Church of Temple.

He is survived by his parents, a sister and brother.

Please remember the Summers family in your prayers during this very difficult time.