Jerry Bedrick Sumbera, age 74, of Arlington, Texas passed away February 14, 2018.

His funeral Mass was held on Feb. 21, 2018, at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas. A

Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 11:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Scotland, Texas with Father Bill Morell, OMI, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery in Scotland under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City, Texas.

He was born in Seymour, TX to the late Jerome J. and Rosie Lee Sumbera on April 15, 1943. Jerry and his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Dolores Schlabs Sumbera were married on June 28, 1969 in Scotland.

Jerry was a Lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, where he was a 4 ^th degree member and Past Grand Knight of Council 6269, of Arlington, TX.  He also served as the State Squires Chairman of the Knights of Columbus and State Chili Cook-Off Chairman.  He was privileged to be the Scout Master of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 615 for a few years.  He also was a member of the Serra Club of Arlington, whose members pray and encourage religious vocations for priests, sisters, and deacons.  Jerry was very proud to serve his country in the Army Reserves for six years.

Jerry worked at Vought Aeronautics as a Scheduling Manager for many years and was the Scheduling and Receiving Manager at Doskocil Manufacturing Company. He also worked for Mosaic Inc., (an IBM partner), and retired from Southern Union Gas Company.

Jerry and Dolores became parishioners of St. Maria Goretti Church in 1969 when they made their home in Arlington, Texas after they were married in Scotland, Texas. They started their family in 1972 when a son, Kevin, was born.  Three years later a daughter, Kerri Beth, joined the Sumbera family.  Kevin and Kerri were the joy of their lives.  Jerry and Dolores chaired the Kountry Karnival at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church one year and always had a great time helping out at all the "Karnival" events.  When a new parish was formed in North Arlington in 1978, Jerry and Dolores joined Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and Jerry was a Eucharistic Minister in his earlier years.  He devoted his life to his family, faith, career, and friends.  Jerry's big-heartedness always put others first, was full of stories and jokes, always the life of the party, and never once met a stranger.  He always said, "Turn that negative into a positive!"

He graduated from St. Anthony's Seminary in San Antonio, attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, and University of North Texas in Denton.  He was a versatile athlete in many sports, but truly enjoyed the game of basketball.

Jerry was passionate about fishing, hunting, weekend gatherings at Sumbera's Cove (AKA "The Lake House"), fish fries, Knights of Columbus Bowling League, Knights of Columbus Softball League, where he was Coach for the K of C men's softball tournaments in Austin, and, of course, his Czech Heritage and Czech Music.

Survivors include: his wife, Dolores Sumbera; son, Kevin Sumbera (Alicia); daughter Kerri Burgess (Chris); beloved sister, Rose Lee Kajs (Louis); and sister-in-law, Marjorie Sumbera.  He is also survived by his grandchildren:  Jordan, Vanissa, Holden, Danika, Bailey, Blake, and great grandson, Blayden; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Jerome and Rosie Lee Sumbera and brothers, Eugene Sumbera and J. R. Sumbera.

Jerry, Honey, Dad, brother, Papa, Uncle Jerry, cousin, Brother Knight – thank you for loving us so much.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department or the American Diabetes Association.