John Robert Cummings passed away in Hot Springs on February 21st after a courageous battle with cancer. John was born on May 29, 1933 in Southern Indiana. He graduated from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, after which he enlisted in the Air Force. While in the Air Force, John developed a love of electronics, leading him after his discharge to major in electrical engineering at Purdue University, graduating in 1962.
After graduation, John went to work at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis and stayed with the company until his retirement in 1993. During his early years at McDonnell Douglas, John worked on the Gemini, Apollo, and Skylabs projects. In later years, he held leadership positions in the Harpoon Missile and Laser Crosslink programs.
After retiring, John and his wife, Theresa Cummings moved to the Diamondhead Community in Hot Springs. Over their years at Diamondhead, John served as President of the Diamondhead Board and in a variety of other volunteer roles. He was a member of the Lions Club, and he took particular joy in helping to organize the Club’s annual fishing derby at Diamondhead for students with special needs.
John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Theresa, daughter Kathryn Cummings Stephenson and son Randall Ray Cummings (from a previous marriage to Patricia Shaw), step-daughters, Randa O’Brien, Deborah Krumwiede, and Cynthia Hughes, twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
No services are planned at present.
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Marcel Proust.
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