Thomas James Summerson

Thomas “TJ” Summerson was born on August 12, 1925, in Spokane, Washington. The eldest of three children, he grew up alongside his sisters Betty and Georgene (“Josie”). TJ graduated from Lewis & Clark High School and went on to Whitworth College, where he played basketball. He was drafted during World War II and served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

After the war, TJ continued his education, earning a Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry from the University of Idaho. TJ married Susan H. Woolman on September 18, 1954 and they enjoyed 71 years together until Sue’s passing in 2025 at the age of 100. They had a daughter Lynda and a son Mark (Ann). TJ was “GrandPop” to grandsons Paul (Rita) and John (Maggie), and “Great GrandPop” to Paul and Rita’s daughters, Isla and Hildegard.

TJ devoted 45 years of his professional life to Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, joining in 1951 and retiring in 1996. Working in Research and Development, he pioneered new applications for aluminum alloys in aerospace, automotive, electrical, marine, and highway industries. Among his many contributions, the 7049 alloy, developed with colleague Jim Luhan, remains in use in aerospace applications today. TJ was recognized as a Fellow of ASTM, became a Professional Engineer, and continued consulting well into his early 90s. He was known for his encyclopedic memory—able to recall the exact study and page number where a client could find the answer to a corrosion problem. He truly loved his work.

TJ enjoyed golf, bridge, photography, and especially flying. As a private pilot, he and Sue traveled to countless destinations, combining aviation with good food and entertainment. TJ loved air shows, serving as Director of the Wings for Charity airshow, one of the few civilian shows dedicated to raising money for charitable causes. He met and befriended numerous stunt pilots and War Bird owners, as well as members of the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, and Canadian Snowbirds. He loved to go flying, or hangar flying, with the professional pilots or the local pilots and did so at every opportunity. Later in life, he helped establish the Young Eagles program at Felts Field, offering free airplane rides to children who might otherwise never experience flight. He loved to share his love of flying.

TJ was an avid photographer throughout his life and always had a camera with him. He documented every family gathering and later turned his lens toward nature—flowers, animals, and the beauty he found outdoors. He combined his passions by photographing airshows and aviation museums across the country, surrounding himself with his favorite airplane images wherever he lived.

TJ and Sue were incredibly active throughout their lives, playing golf and bridge with their many Kaiser friends. They also enjoyed several cruises, taking them to locations all over the world. After retirement, they volunteered at the Spokane International Airport Information Booth. TJ loved providing information, being helpful, and guiding folks toward their destinations. His warmth and helpfulness were well recognized and he was elected Mr. Hospitality for the City of Spokane in 2013.

TJ would have been 101yo on August 12, 2026. He lived a long, active, and celebrated life. He was always truly glad to see you and greet you with his unique smile. He will be deeply missed.