Clarissa E. Summers

Clarissa Eames Summers, 85, of Grand Junction, Colorado passed away surrounded by her family on October 29, 2024, in Parker, Colorado. 

Clarissa was born on June 8, 1939, in Preston, Idaho. She was the oldest of Henry and Velma Eames’s six children. Clarissa grew up in various small towns in southern Idaho, moving frequently with her parents who worked in public education. When she was in 7th grade, her family moved to the Oregon Coast. Clarissa had fond memories of her years in Coos Bay and graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1957. She attended Brigham Young University and, after graduation, joined her family who had relocated to the Bay Area. There, Clarissa taught school for six years. During this time, she met Kenneth Kelly Summers who was studying law at Berkeley. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on August 17, 1966. They settled in Grand Junction, Colorado and enjoyed the next 54 years, raising their six children beneath the red rocks of the Colorado National Monument.

Clarissa was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities over the course of her life in the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations. She also contributed to music in the church, serving in various music positions and organizing countless holiday and special programs in the Grand Junction area. Clarissa loved to serve and accepted opportunities as they came throughout her life. She was also a great support to her husband, Kelly, as he served in leadership positions. 

Clarissa was curious about the world and a traveler at heart, logging many hours traveling the country to visit her children. On her journeys, she often took the scenic route, visiting small towns and discovering new places. She was an avid reader and loved flower gardens. Clarissa created a home filled with love and encouragement that embraced not only her children but also their friends. Through her example, she taught her children to serve others, value education, and appreciate music. Clarissa was fiercely devoted to her family and, over the last two decades, delighted in spending time with her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her children and grandchildren. 

Clarissa is survived by her children, Kate (Aaron, deceased) Waters, Carol Summers, Connie Summers, Kenny (Johanna) Summers, Kimberly Summers, and Catherine (Gabriel) Olivares; and her ten grandchildren, Curtis, Michael, Kerilynn, Drew, Ian, Owen, Mya, Penelope, Theodore, and Dexter. She also leaves behind her surrogate daughter, Misty (Richard) De La Rosa, and her sister, Debra Provence. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Kelly Summers; her parents, Velma and Henry Eames; and her siblings, Bart Eames, Julia Cleveland, Ron Eames, and Teresa Eames.

A funeral service will be held at the Redlands Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2235 Kingston Road, Grand Junction, CO 81507, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 a.m. The service will also be available at https://byu.zoom.us/j/97787533715.