Claude Nowell

Claude Rex Nowell, born November 2, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and died January 29, 2008, also in Salt Lake City, was an American businessman and founder of Summum, a new religious movement. Known by various names including Corky King, Corky Ra, and Summum Bonum Amon Ra, he was raised in California, later attending Orange Coast College and the University of Utah. In 1975, Nowell founded Summum, a movement he stated was based on information received from 'Summa Individuals.' In 1980, he legally changed his name to Summum Bonum Amon Ra. He also established a pyramid that functioned as a winery for Summum Soma Nectar, utilizing a Utah law that allowed religious use of alcohol. Nowell is widely regarded as a pioneer in modern mummification, a practice Summum offers. He himself was the first human to undergo the Summum mummification process upon his death. Nowell was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had two children.