Longtime Carpinteria resident James Woodrow Summerlin (Jim) passed peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of February 11, 2025, at his home in Ventura. Jim was born in Casper, Wyoming on October 12, 1945, and was raised in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Jim is survived by his loving wife of more than 61 years Johnnie Summerlin, son Jerome Summerlin (Trevor), daughter Julie Latham (Van), and grandchildren Emily Summerlin (Chris Hildrith), Wilson Summerlin, Madison Rondon (Jeremy), Wyatt Juul, and Dylan Juul. Jim is also survived by his sister Patricia Jones and her family in West Virginia, as well as numerous extended family members in Mississippi.
Jim loved to work and had a long career of more than 57 years in the oil and gas exploration and production industry that started in Mississippi / Louisiana / Gulf of Mexico in the mid-1960s and extended to California and the Santa Barbara Channel in the early 1970s. Jim enjoyed his career and his many work colleagues within the oil fields of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Monterey, Fresno, and Kern counties, as well as across the western United States and the Mississippi Delta.
Jim and Johnnie raised their family in Carpinteria where they made life-lasting friendships with many friends and neighbors. Jim always enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors, as well as heading up a tri-tip and ribs BBQ and deep-frying large numbers of turkeys at Thanksgiving for family and friends.
Jim was a great provider for his family and extended family and was always happy to assist others in need.
His family and friends will miss him and will cherish his memory forever.