Howard Mack Sommer

Howard Mack Sommer, 91, of Meridian, Idaho, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2023, due to congestive heart failure at the Pointe in Meridian surrounded by his family. He was under the loving care of the Pointe staff, his daughter, Cheryl Simonds, and Keystone Hospice. Mack was born June 11, 1931, in Hibbard, Idaho, to Mary Leana (Leah) Rock Sommer and William Sommer. He grew up and attended school in Hibbard and Rexburg, Idaho.

On January 20, 1951, he married Rachel Fenn in Spanish Fork, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on August 19, 1966. To this union were born six children: Bruce, Cindy, Cheryl, Chris, Darrin, and Jimmy. Mack and Rachel made their home in Salem, Idaho, for 23 years, and in Phoenix, Arizona for 49 years.

In his younger days, Mack was a boxer for a couple of years. He also spent several years Chariot horse racing where he won several Championship titles over the years. He was a contractor for 30+ years where he plastered several buildings in the Rexburg, Idaho, and Phoenix, Arizona, areas including the Ricks College auditorium, several banks, churches, hospitals, and homes. He farmed in the Rexburg/Salem area for many years. He was also the head of the Fair Board in Rexburg, Idaho, for several years.

In 1974, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he pursued his lifelong passion of racing thoroughbred horses. He worked as an owner/trainer for over 40+ years traveling to many recognized racetracks across the U.S. where he won over 600+ races. In his later years, he worked for over 12 years as a Security Guard at Honeywell and retired in 2010 at the age of 79.

Mack was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as Sunday School Superintendent, Elder’s Quorum President, First Counselor in the Bishopic, Secretary in the Young Men’s, and as a Seventy working with the missionaries. He had a strong testimony of the gospel and loved serving others.

Over the years, his hobbies included going to the horse races, making plastered furniture, going to the flea market, traveling, and spending time with his family. Mack is survived by his son Bruce Sommer (Cindy) of Phoenix, Arizona; daughter Cindy Bird of Phoenix, Arizona; daughter Cheryl Simonds (Jack) of Meridian, Idaho; daughter Chris Jones (Johnny) of Phoenix, Arizona; and Jim Sommer (Traci) of Phoenix, Arizona; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Sommer, and a son, Darrin Mack Sommer, his parents, and 7 brothers/sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on June 3, 2023, at the Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix, Arizona. The family will meet with family and friends prior to the funeral service from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Burial will follow the services at the Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary.

The family would like to express their thanks to Keystone Hospice of Eagle, Idaho, and the Pointe at Meridian for their loving care.