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Elbert S. (Sumner) Delana, Jr., passed away August 29, 2011, at the age of 91, bringing to a close a long, rich life.
Sumner was born in Boise in 1919, the second child of Elbert S. Delana and Mildred Poteet Delana. He and his sister, Marian Delana Knapp, were raised and educated in Boise, attending Central Elementary School and Boise High School. Sumner attended the University of Idaho. He joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and obtained a degree in accounting. Sumner served four years as a commissioned officer in the Army during World War II; he was also recalled during the Korean War. After the World War II, he enrolled in the Law School at the University of Idaho, taking his degree in 1949. While in Law School he met and married his life-long companion, tennis partner, trail hiking partner, and golf partner, Joyce McMahon of Jerome, Idaho. Sumner joined and continued the law firm founded by his father and uncle, Delana & Delana. He was active in many civic, professional, service, and sport-related groups and activities, including the Longfellow PTA, Elks Club, the Knife and Fork Club, the Idaho State Bar Association, the First Presbyterian Church, the Boise Good Samaritan Home, the YMCA, the Boise Tennis Club, the Youth Tennis Foundation of Idaho, the Plantation Golf Club, and the Boise Racquet and Swim Club. Throughout his life, Sumner truly enjoyed helping others. The one exception was on the tennis court, where he was a highly competitive player with a notoriously wimpy second serve. In retirement, he and Joyce enjoyed winters in San Diego and summers at Warm Lake. Wherever he was, he enjoyed meeting everyone and sharing a joke and a laugh. He was blessed with a constantly positive outlook and demeanor. Sumner is survived by his wife, Joyce, his three sons, Brett (and Charity) of Anchorage, Alaska, Kent, and Pat (and Becky) of Boise, Idaho, and four grandchildren, Tara, Shea, Lauren, and Austin. No public service will be held. The family expresses their appreciation to the staff of the Idaho Veterans Home for their help and assistance.
Condolences:Sender's Name: Sherry Hunt
I was sorry to read about Sumners' passing today. Joyce, you and Sumner have always been in my prayers. I truly enjoyed visiting with Sumner while cleaning the house. He was a true character! Love and prayers to you and your family. Sender's Name: Jim & Jeannie Kesling
We would like to express our sincere sympathy to Joyce and the rest of the family over the loss of your husband, Sumner, your father, and grandfather. We enjoyed visiting with Sumner and Joyce and sharing many good laughs on several occasions at Warm Lake. We have really missed seeing you both there the last few years. Again, our heartfelt sympathy is with you all. May God comfort you in your time of sorrow. Sender's Name: Mike & Sally Merz
Sumner was a dear neighbor of ours for many years in Boise Heights. We have fond memories of him appearing at our door to give us fresh raspberries that he had picked on the hill below his home. As your obituary noted, his constantly positive outlook and demeanor always made visiting with him a pleasure.
Sender's Name: Ed and Martha Keener Sender's Name: Joyce and Phil Schnabel Sender's Name: Joyce and Phil Schnabel
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