On the evening of Nov. 30, 2020, the world became less funny, less caring, less helpful. After 72 full years, and 7 relaxing ones, Jim Sumbler took his last breaths while his son Rob and daughter Katie held his hands, talked to him, and played him classical music. And in true Jim fashion, he waited until the dramatic organ music came on to take his last. 

Jim was born in Sault St. Marie, Mich., to Naomi (Crysler) and James Sumbler. He grew up in Highland Park, and Manistee, Mich. He then went to Albion College, and settled in East Lansing with his wife Bonnie. With a diverse education, he spent his career in film production, creating numerous commercials and corporate films, while concurrently working a full career at Michigan State University, retiring after 32 years. 

Jim spent the majority of his free time doing two things. 

First, enjoying coffee. Pots flowed like water from his office adjacent to the WKAR studios, filling the cups of workers, and public television guests alike. Then in retirement he discovered the double shot of espresso from Biggby, whose counter he would grace, sometimes three times a day. 

Second, he was a champion for the Native community, volunteering his time and his money, and attending Pow Wows across the country. He was a board member for the Nokomis Learning Center since its inception 30 years ago. And he was an advisor, then friend to the Native American Indian Student Organization at MSU. It’s been said that if you were Native, and attended MSU in the last 30 years, you had an Uncle Jim. 

In his many years, he made countless friends in the film, education, and native communities. He loved and was loved. He made things and he fixed things, even if they weren’t his to fix. He taught, and he joked, he always had a smile and a glint in his eye. He never stopped learning, and immersed himself in language, from English, to Latin, to Greek, to German, to Anishinaabemowin. 

He was reluctant to be a parent, but became enamored with that part of himself as well and absolutely loved being a Dad. First to Rob, then Katie, then hundreds of NAISO students at MSU, then finally a Grandad to baby George whom he just couldn’t get enough of, and who in turn loved his "Bampa.” 

Jim is survived by his son, Rob and his wife Abby; daughter Katie Trebilcott and her husband Mike; grandson George and step-grandchildren Miriam, Kaila, Christopher, Lauren, Kristen, Jacob and Kevin; his sister Marcia; and brother Thom; and Bonnie.