Donald Verne Cummings, age 82, resident of Fort Scott, KS, went to his heavenly reward Thursday, November 28, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. Don was born June 19, 1937, in Fort Scott at the old Mercy Hospital to Paul Verne and Delta Armour Cummings. He attended the one room schoolhouse at Godfrey and graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1955.
His first job was with JC Penney Company where he worked in the men’s department and learned that gentlemen always carried a white handkerchief which he did every day. He served as a Sergeant with the National Guard Military Police unit in Pittsburg, KS. On June 24, 1961, he married Peggy Pat Rose in the Sacred Heart Church in Mound City, KS. His career with the Western Insurance Company began in the supply department in 1957. In 1962 he accepted a transfer to the Lebanon, IN, branch office as a commercial lines underwriter.
In 1976 he assumed management of the Kansas City, MO, branch office and in 1979 became manager of the office in Bettendorf, IA, the Western Insurance Companies largest branch office. He returned to Fort Scott in 1987 and worked as commercial lines manager for American States Insurance retiring in 1994 after 37 years in the insurance industry. He always appreciated the opportunities the Western Insurance Company provided him.
Don was an avid collector and trader and the couple owned Collectiques, an antique business in Iowa. Upon returning to his hometown he took great pleasure in restoring the Victorian home which had been in the family since 1955. He would tell everyone that his children came to see their grandparents in this home and now his grandchildren and great grandchildren came to see him in the same home. After retiring, his focus turned to gardening and landscaping to provide a proper setting for the home. He was a former member of Kiwanis, the Bourbon County Arts Council, the Western Block House Committee, a board member of CASA and served on the Bourbon County Strategic Planning Committee. Don was very proud of his membership in the Sons of the American Revolution and enjoyed traveling to research his patriot.
He is survived by his wife of 58 1⁄2 years, Peggy; children Cara Gentry, Fort Worth, TX, Chris (Lori) Cummings, Dallas, TX, Todd Cummings (Brandi), Independence, MO, and Joey (Rachel) Cummings, Fort Scott; grandchildren Wyatt Gentry, Cari (Andrew) Oteo , Michael, Keli Jo, Caleb, and Jacob Cummings, Ashley (Greg) Garza, Sannam and Aamir Alaudin; and great grandchildren Charlee Rose Cummings, Quinn and Ana Oteo, and Kareena and Aubree Garza. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters Betty Joan Cummings and Mary Lou Brungardt.
Gene Payne will conduct memorial services at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 7th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to either Fort Scott Wreath Ride or E3 Ranch Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
