Adolphus Cummings' Obituary
CUMMINGS, ADOLPHUS was born October 24, 1917 to Joe and Maude Cummings near Bardwell, Eliis County Texas where his father was a farmer. He attended school in the Ennis-Bardwell area, graduating from High School at Bardwell in 1935. In the late 1930’s he moved to Dallas where he worked four years for the Medaris Company, a wholesale music supply distributor. It was here that he developed an affinity for musicians and the sounds of Big Band music. On December 7, 1941 Doc and his brother Dorace went to the Majestic Theatre in Dallas to see the movie Sergeant York. When they departed the theatre the extra editions of the newspapers were on the street announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor. Doc turned to his brother and said “I guess you know what that means to us.” So late in 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, graduating from the Aircraft Mechanics School at Sheppard Field near Wichita Falls, Texas. He served over four years in the Army Air Corps Technical training Command and in the 13th Air Corps Troup Carrier Command in the New Guinea-Philippines area. After his discharge from the military Doc began working for the Magnolia Petroleum Company which became a part of the Mobile Corporation. His employment there lasted thirty-six years until he retired in January 1983. Preceding him in death were his parents Annie Maude and Joe Alan Cummings and a brother Dorace R. Cummings. In May 1948 he married Maxine Lewis who survives. Also surviving are his two daughters Janet Carter and husband Joe of Beeville, Texas and Nancy Byrd and husband Dr. Richard Byrd of Greensboro, North Carolina. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Trent and Hannah Byrd and Amanda Pena. Also surviving, a sister Joanne Moore of Ennis, Texas and beloved nieces Melinda Fincher and Julie Luksa. He was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church where he served on the Finance Committee in offerings and Tabulations and also on the Transportation Committee in Vehicle Maintenance. Members of Lakeside are grateful for the many Saturday mornings he volunteered to work on the maintenance and upkeep of the church vehicles with his dear friends Otis Shaw and Henry Smith. In 2006 Doc and Maxine moved to the Waterford Senior Living Community in Mesquite, Texas. Doc was very happy there and especially appreciated the beautiful grounds and the dedicated and loving staff. Many will remember Doc for his wonderful wit and humorous anecdotes. He was even described as joking and kidding with his medical staff moments before his death. He was a voracious reader, especially history, and especially works on the Civil War and World War II. Skilled at writing, Doc had many letters published in the Letters to the Editor section of the Dallas Morning News. He craved knowledge all of his ninety-two years a co-worker commented upon his retirement that Doc was a master of trivia. Those who attended church and worked with Doc will remember his dapper appearance in a smart suit and always topped with a fedora hat. If Doc had a creed it was that injustice in any form is intolerable. It was with this creed in mind that he considered Abraham Lincoln the perfect United States citizen. Doc’s family is blessed to have shared such a long life with this loving and deeply committed husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and most of all grandfather. Services will be held at 1:00PM, Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Lakeside Baptist Church, 9150 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218. Visitation will be an hour and 30 minutes prior to the service at Lakeside Baptist Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Adolphus?
What’s a lesson you learned from Adolphus?
Share a story where Adolphus' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Adolphus you’ll never forget.
How did Adolphus make you smile?