Michael J. Cummings

1945 - 2022

Michael J. Cummings was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 10, 1945. Mike passed away on March 9, 2022, with his family by his side at his home in Virginia Beach, VA.

The first of four children born to a career Marine infantry officer, Mike grew up on military bases from Panama to Hawaii, from California to Virginia, before entering the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1964. Proudly following in his father's footsteps, he was commissioned in the Marine Corps upon graduation with the highly esteemed class of 1968.

Mike served as an infantry operations officer and platoon commander with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Vietnam until he was medically evacuated for wounds received in action. After recovering from nearly fatal injuries, Mike married Martha Harvey Wilbourne at the Naval Academy Chapel on June 5, 1971. They were blessed with three sons and a daughter during their Marine Corps career, which included assignments as an infantry company commander, aide-de-camp, tactics and weapons instructor, and staff platoon commander prior to graduating with a J.D. degree from William and Mary in 1978. As a Marine Judge Advocate, Mike served as trial counsel, military judge, and Chief of the Military Law Branch at HQMC. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation, and Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbons.

After retiring as a Lt. Col. in July 1990, Mike was appointed a Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney in Virginia Beach and a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, where he successfully prosecuted numerous major drug and violent crime cases from July 1990 to July 1994 with the Special Investigative Division and FBI, DEA, and ATF federal strike forces.

In July 1994, Mike was appointed a U.S. Administrative Law Judge with the Department of Health and Human Services where he spent the rest of his legal career adjudicating Medicare and Social Security cases.

Mike was deeply devoted to his family - as a loving husband and shamelessly proud father. Outside of his long workdays, he filled every moment pitching batting practice, timing at swim meets, cheering at high school football games, driving to horse events around the tidewater region, helping the church's youth group, and captaining (mostly fishless) fishing trips. He enjoyed golf and later caught pickleball fever with Martha. He loved to travel and never missed a Flying J hot dog, donuts with the grandkids, or a Virginia Tech or Navy football or basketball game (Go Hokies! Go Navy, beat Army!)

Mike will be dearly missed by the family and friends he loved so much and by the country he served. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Martha; children, (Chris, Nick, James, and Lauren, and their spouses, Donna, Emma, Jane and Shawn); nine grandchildren, (Colby, Hudson, Jack, Lucy, Phoebe, Lyla, Rome, James and Will); sister, Kathy; and two brothers, Pat and Dan; and countless friends and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations may be made to Ukrainian relief efforts or to Virginia Beach United Methodist Church charity programs. Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Semper Fi