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JACK CUMMINGS Obituary


Sunset Hills Funeral Home

Lt Col. Jack Clifford Cummings was born on March 26, 1932 in Centralia, WA. He passed away June 14, 2009 at University Place, WA.

Col. Cummings grew up and graduated from Winlock High School in Winlock, WA, and served in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the University of Washington in 1954. He was first stationed at flight schools in Texas, then Milan, Italy, Rhinemein, Germany, Sacramento, CA, Montgomery, Alabama, Tacoma, WA, Vietnammissions-flying the C-47 Gooney Bird, Portland, OR, Dayton, OH, Washington DC-retiring from the Pentagon in 1976.

He then moved to the Tri-Cities, WA, to work for the DOE for 4 years. In 1981, he and his family moved to Bellevue, WA, where he started his own corporation, JC Consultants. Jack loved to fly. He owned a Rockwell Commander 114 and stayed in touch with his Gooney Bird (C-47) buddies from Vietnam. Twelve years ago he sold the plane and started boating in his 33-foot Sea Ray. He enjoyed the Cruising Club going to Roche Harbor, Gig Harbor and other ports of call. Jack also greatly enjoyed cooking and would share his recipes and bring a dish to sample for anyone who would try them.

Jack is survived by Betty Ellen Hedin Cummings, his wife and partner for 55 years. He is also survived by his children: Catherine Ellen Cummings, Kimberly Anne Richert and Michael Clifford Cummings. He was fortunate enough to have 3 grandchildren: Kelsey Marie Richert, Kaitlyn Anne Richert and Clifford Tan Cummings.

His Graveside Memorial Service is at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 1215 145th Place S.E., Bellevue, WA., to be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, June 23rd. A reception to follow at the Redmond VFW Hall: 4330 148th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052. If you wish to send flowers: Please send them to the VFW for the reception or make a donation to the Redmond VFW Support the Troops Fund in his name.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tri-City Herald on Jun. 19, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for JACK CUMMINGS

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June 24, 2009

Dear Betty and Family,

Jack was a fine man and Sue and I will miss him.

Ron & Sue Cone.

June 23, 2009

Dear Betty, Cathy, Kim,& Michael,

We just got word about Jack's passing from Al Malinverni. Ione and I wish you our sincerest condolences over Jack's untimely death. Jack, as one of my working associates at AF Systems Command, was a person I could always trust. We have treasured memories being your next door neighbors in Mt. Vernon. Jack encouraged me to become a pilot and get back to skiing around the Tri-Cities - good memories. I will miss our talks and drinking scotch on the rocks when we got together.

Betty, our best wishes and prayers to you, Cathy, Kim, and Michael in the days ahead.

Ione and Frank Fabro

tracy dale-thiebout

June 23, 2009

Dear Betty, Cathy, Kim and Michael,

We are so sorry for your loss. Jack was such a trooper and so brave throughout and at the end of his illness. No surprise knowing his character.

His love for his family was obvious and we are honored to have known him.

You all are in our prayers,

tracy dale-thiebout and rod thiebout

Lynette Waller

June 22, 2009

Dear Betty and family:
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in the memories of the wonderful family times you shared over the years. It was obvious that Jack indeed treasured all of you. May God give you His comfort.

Burt Jarvis

June 21, 2009

Dear Betty, Cathy,Kim and Michael,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, as you grieve the loss of your husband and father. I pray for God's comfort and His healing of the hurt you now feel.

I first met Jack when we attended professional meetings, while working for the Department of Energy. When I retired from BPA, Jack invited me to associate with him to work with him in his consulting business, J C Consultants. I gladly accepted, and enjoyed our working relationship for the next twelve or so years. Jack was always up-beat, had a great sense of humor and always conducted himself as a gentleman and a true professional. He was a great friend, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity he gave me to work with him.

Van & Debbie Pettey

June 19, 2009

Our prayers and sympathies are with Jack's family. Way beyond our professional relationship, he was a loyal friend. We often think of him as an example of someone who loved his life and family, but also had time to be concerned about others and how they were doing. He will be missed

James Torkko

June 19, 2009

I grew up with Jack and we remained a friends for life. Jack was an outstanding man and served his country well. He was also a good husband and family man. Jack will be missed by a whole host of people as he touch their lives in his international travels. Jack is no longer suffering and is in hands of our Lord. May Betty and family find solice and comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain but pain free in Heaven.

Ken Goodwin (Postmaster)

June 19, 2009

My sympathies to Jack's family. He was a good man and a good landlord.

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