Ken Summers — who has carried on a family tradition of comforting and serving families during their most difficult times — is being inducted into the Manteca Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremonies and dinner takes place Saturday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane. Tickets are $65. They are available through the Boys & Girls Club, 545 Alameda St, or by calling 239-KIDS.

Summers is being inducted for business.

Other inductees in the Class of 2019 are Larry Lee Barnhizer, art; Ken Sanders, community service; Frank C. Mello, agriculture; Janet Fiore, Janice Zacharias, and Gloria Stanley, group; Benjamin Edward Taylor, health care; Vince Hernandez, education; Senator Cathleen Galgiani, government; Chuck and Teri Palmer, special recognition; and Georgiann Rose, at large.

Summers’ great-grandfather P.L. Fry (Pearson Leroy Fry) and grandfather (Paul Fry Sr.) founded the P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home in 1932.

Summers is a fourth generation funeral director at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home.

He started working part-time at the funeral home after high school while also working at Dana Corporation. He started working fulltime for his grandmother Lucille O. Fry in 1986. Summers was elevated to manager upon his grandmother’s retirement in 1997.

Summers has served thousands of families since going to work at the funeral home.

“Ken has always regarded the goodwill and reputation of P.L. Fry & Son as second to none and his guiding principles are built on honesty, integrity, and quality in all that he does that was instilled in him by his family,” noted Dino Cunial who nominated Summers for the Hall of Fame.

Summers is a 1977 East Union High graduate. He received his AA Degree in Business from Delta College.

He is past president of the Valley Lode Funeral Directors Association and is a former board member for the Manteca Historical Society.

Summers also has served as a committee member for the Manteca Community Prayer Breakfast as well as being a former Manteca Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.

Ken has been married to his wife Lynne for over 35 years. Both are East Union High graduates and have lived in Manteca their entire lives. They have two children — daughter Kara Teach and her husband Jeff and son Kenny Summers.

Summers was active as a coach in his children’s sports programs. He continues to support various high school and sports programs.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com