James Albert Cummins

James Cummins, age 85, passed away in Colorado Springs, CO at 11 am on January 29, 2020. Jim was born in Huntingdon, PA to Sara Clemens and John Cummins. After an early divorce, Sara raised Jim as a single mother with help from her family, especially her brother George Clemens. Jim graduated from Juniata college in Huntingdon, PA in 1956 and began teaching high school Spanish in New Jersey.

He volunteered for the draft in 1956 in order to serve his country without interrupting his teaching career, and served as an artillery surveyor for the U.S. Army in the U.S. and Germany from 1957-1959. He went on to get a Master’s degree from Middlebury College in Vermont, and took a position teaching Spanish at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA in 1962.

While studying for his PhD at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Jim met his future wife, Yachal Hope Snyder, and they were married on July 2, 1972. His PhD in Spanish literature was completed in 1982. He taught Spanish at Westminster for 39 years and was well-loved by students for his energetic and fun-filled classes.

Jim and Hope’s only son, Jeffrey Alexander Cummins, was born in March 1976. Jim and Hope resided in New Wilmington through his retirement from teaching in 2001. In his retirement years, Jim began studying Russian, practiced violin, took several mission trips with Hope, and continued teaching Spanish at the local senior center.

In August of 2018, Jim and Hope accepted Jeff’s invitation to move into their home in Colorado Springs. Jim resided with Jeff and his wife Jazzy to the end of his life.

Jim was known for his kindness, gentleness, and sense of humor. He was active in his local church, sang in the church choir, enjoyed classical music, and was an avid collector of many things, from model airplanes to jackknives to ballpoint pens. He will be dearly missed.