Dennis Cummings

Dennis Cummings, of Tucson, AZ, fought a courageous and gallant battle against the cancer that took his life on May, 13, 2011. Dennis (64) was born in Bellingham, Washington to Theil and Irene Cummings. He graduated from Bellingham High School and Central Washington University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including 14 months in Vietnam. He was a very proud Veteran and American. Dennis was the owner/operator of Berry's Department Store in Ellensburg for 29 years. In the early 1990's he was the founding board member of Kittitas Valley Bank (now Cashmere Valley Bank). He was active in the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1979, Ellensburg Rodeo Gold Buckle Club, Rigadoon, a strong supporter of CWU's Foundation and CWU's Flight Technology Program, which his son, Ryan, is a graduate. Upon moving to Tucson, Arizona he was instrumental in launching Canyon Community Bank in Oro Valley in 2000 which currently has 4 locations. Dennis started the Canyon Community Charities' Golf Tournament and was instrumental in raising over $400,000 that has been given to local Tucson charities. He was awarded the Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce Community Leader of the year in 2009. He was a mentor, a friend and a fan to many business people, both in Ellensburg and Tucson. Dennis loved to golf, wood crafting and traveling in the United States and Alaska in their motor couch. He is survived by his wife, Linda and two sons Ryan (Meagahn) and Cory (Denise) and 4 granddaughters, all of Peoria, Arizona, brother Larry (Sue) of Az. and mother-in-law Dorothy Watson Arizona. Memorial services will be Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at the SURC Theatre (Student Union Building). CWU, 1007 N. Chestnut, Ellensburg, WA. An option for donations would be the Canyon Community Charities, Inc. 7981 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85704 or any local charity.