Carl (Butch) W. Sommers, 67, of Harrisonville, MO, passed away Sunday, April 19 at his home, surrounded by his family and friends. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville. No visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Leukemia Research Foundation, 3520 Lake Avenue, Suite 202, Wilmette, IL 60091-1064 or to Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108 in Carl's name. He would want you to help the "babies".

Carl was born March 9, 1942 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Fred R. and Caroline L. (Falco) Sommers. He attended Northeast High School and DeLaSalle High School. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1958 until 1962. In 1962 he met Patricia Narlock at a YWCA dance. They were married in San Francisco, California on April 28, 1962.

Carl worked for Van Waters & Rogers in California until 1968 when they moved to Kansas City, MO. After working at Armco Steel, Carl went to work at Crouch Bros. in Elwood, Kansas as an over the road truck driver. Over a 30-year span, Carl drove for several truck lines, including Yellow Freight. He retired in 1995 while driving for Yellow Freight at the age of 53. He was a member of Teamsters Local #41.

Carl was an avid fisherman, hunter, lover of wines and Italian food and collector of albums, his collection of 50's and 60's music numbering in the thousands. He spent many good times at Papa's Lake House in Golden, MO, enjoying his grandchildren, having a great time on the pontoon.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister, Shirley. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Patricia and their son, Ben Sommers; daughter, Tish Diehl and fiance', Eric Kinlein and their children, Lauren and Brendan Rynard and Ellie Kinlein, all of Harrisonville; son, Tony Sommers and partner, Dave McCluskey of San Francisco, CA; son, John Sommers and wife, Alice, along with their children, Valerie and husband, Jeremy Johnson of Blue Springs, Travis Clark, Tiffany Sujokowski and Anne and Michael Sommers, all of Harrisonville, MO. He is also survived by his brothers, Fred Sommers and wife, Velma, John Sommers and wife, Linda and sisters, Mary Anderson and husband, Ron and Rose Lynn and husband, Ed, as well as many nieces and nephews and life-long friend, Bert (Butch) and wife, AnneMarie Bohanon of Independence, MO.

Carl was a wonderful husband, a loving father and grandfather (Papa) and will be missed so much by everyone, including his little dog, Chip. Every boat ride, every leap off the dock, every fish we catch, every hug we give, we will think of you. Good night, Papa; sleep tight.