Donald Lee Cummings

Donald was born March 12, 1938 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. He was the twin son of James Ralph and Nina K. (Bridge) Cummings. As a young boy Donald was raised in the Scrapping Ridge area near Cleveland. He later attended schools in Cleveland where he completed his education. Following high school Donald joined the United States Navy with his twin brother Ronald on October 25, 1955. The two served their country on the USS Hooper Island which was a part of the Pacific Reserve Fleet out of San Diego, California. During his time in the military Donald took part in a major part of American History. He was present for many of the atomic bomb detonations in the Marshall Islands. The Marshall Islands was the site of the Pacific Proving Grounds; the U.S. tested 67 nuclear weapons including the largest nuclear test the U.S. ever conducted, Castle Bravo. In 1956, the Atomic Energy Commission regarded the Marshall Islands as "by far the most contaminated place in the world". On March 11, 1959, Donald was honorably discharged from the United States Navy. Donald then joined his brothers Randy and Ronald working for a seismograph company. On March 7, 1959, in Yuma, Arizona Donald was united in marriage to Carolyn Ann Baker. The two returned to Oklahoma and Donald worked for several different construction companies before accepting employment with Sherwood Construction in the 1970ís. During his time with Sherwood, Donald helped build many bridges and highways throughout Oklahoma. In 1999, Donald retired from Sherwood after nearly 30 years of employment. Following his retirement Donald was never satisfied with sitting at home. He still continued working and in his own words ìjust piddlingî. He loved to fish and later purchased his ìTonka Toyî dozer so he could ìpiddleî. Feeling that he did not have enough to do in his spare time; Donald convinced his twin brother Ronald to take over the Dixie-Bear Creek Cemetery maintaining and digging the graves. In 2006, Donald received the gift of life for his 68th birthday a liver transplant. Following the surgery he always had a feeling that it was from a female because he would always woke up ìfeeling grumpy and grouchyî. Donald Lee Cummings, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Sunday, January 30, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the St. John Medical Center at the age of age 72 years 10 months and 18 days. Survivors are his five children Debra Christensen of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Donna Ausbern of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Dale Cummings Sand Springs, Oklahoma, David Cummings of Catoosa, Oklahoma, Danny Cummings of Beggs, Oklahoma, Joyce Cartwright of Cleveland, Oklahoma, eleven Grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, two brothers Randy Cummings and his wife Laurie of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Ronald Cummings and his wife Bobbie of Mannford, Oklahoma; one sister Patsy Cooper of Hallett, Oklahoma and a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn his passing. Donald was preceded in death by his father James Ralph Cummings, mother Nina K. Cummings, wife Carolyn Ann and one sister Mary Carter. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, February 4, 2011 at Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will follow in the Dixie Bear Creek Cemetery .