Donald Houston Cummings' Obituary
Cummings, Donald Houston, 78, of Farmers Branch, passed away on September 15, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. He was born on February 3, 1932 in Nashville, Tennessee, to Houston and Madeline Cummings. He grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he attended Istrouma High School and LSU. He began his college education at LSU as a 16 year old, but his education was interrupted by the Korean War in which he served as an artillery officer. Upon his return from Korea he married the love of his life and his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Curry in 1952. He graduated from LSU with a B.S. degree in Geology in 1956. Don had a very successful career as a geologist specializing in offshore exploration. In the course of his career he worked for Tidewater Oil Company, Getty Oil Company, Superior Oil Company and retired from Ensearch Exploration as Senior Vice-President of Exploration in 1992. His career took him to Lake Charles, Tyler, Houston, Lafayette, New Orleans, and finally to Dallas where he resided until his death. He was a long-time member of Walnut Hill United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Harmony Class. Don’s retirement years were filled with volunteer service to others. He was a volunteer tutor at McLaughlin Elementary School for twelve years where he was known as “Mr. C”. He was also active in delivering Meals on Wheels to area shut-ins. His favorite volunteer service was the Caring Hearts program at Baylor Hospital. Staffed by volunteers who have had heart surgery, this program cares for and comforts patients and their families facing their own cardiac surgeries. Don volunteered to help others at Baylor for almost fifteen years. Don is survived by his wife and the sunshine of his life, Carolyn Cummings; children, Dale Cummings and his wife, Kate of Cypress, TX, Diane (Cummings) Barger and her husband, Jimmy of El Campo, TX and Bruce Cummings and his wife, Jamie of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Kyle Cummings of Los Angeles, Katie (Cummings) Evans and her husband, Alex of Tomball, Blake Barger and his wife, Kristi of Houston, Jim and Brett Cummings of Fort Worth. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Baylor Hospital who cared for him with kindness and compassion. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm at Restland Funeral home on Friday, September 17th. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 18th at Walnut Hill United Methodist Church. Don’s volunteer passion was Caring Hearts Volunteer Services at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. If you would like to remember Don in this way, you may send a contribution to : Baylor University Medical Center Foundation 3600 Gaston Avenue, Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75246 Please mention that this is in memory of Don Cummings. Our family will be honored if you choose to remember him in this way.
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