Ronald R Cummings

Ronald R Cummings, of Mannford, Oklahoma, passed from this life with his family at his side at the age of 76 years, and one day. Ronald was born March 12, 1938, in Cleveland, Oklahoma. He was the twin son of James Ralph and Nina Katherine (Bridge) Cummings. As a young boy Ron was raised in the Scrapping Ridge area near Cleveland before attending school in Cleveland. Ron later joined the United States Navy with his twin brother Donald on October 25, 1955. The two were almost inseparable. Ron served his time mostly in the Pacific Ocean as well as San Diego, California aboard the USS Hooper Island. Ron was present for numerous atomic bomb detonations in the Marshall Islands. During his time in the U.S. Navy, they used the Marshall Islands as a testing site for the arms race. In 1956, the Marshall Islands was known as the most contaminated place in the world due to nuclear testing by the United States Government. Ronald was later honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on March 11, 1959. He returned to the Cleveland area and worked as a heavy equipment operator. On June 1, 1973, in Mannford, Oklahoma, Ronald was united in marriage to Bobbie Jean Burnett. The two traveled to many parts of Kansas, Arkansas, Texas as well as Oklahoma due to Ronald's job with Sherwood Construction. Finally in the mid 1970ís, Ron and Bobbie established their current home West of Mannford where they have continued to live. In 1998, after over 20 years of working for Sherwood Construction, Ron retired due to medical reasons. Ron loved to be outdoors. He enjoyed fishing working in his garden as well as being very fond of John Deere equipment. Ron also enjoyed playing pool and watching John Wayne movies. Ron always looked forward to having his daily diet of chips and dip as well as ice cream and always welcomed others to join him. For the past numerous years Ron helped take care of the Dixie Bear Creek Cemetery always making sure it was done properly. Survivors are his loving wife Bobbie of the home, three sons Bradley Cummings of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Kevin and Traci Stites of Bradenton, Florida, Burton Cummings of Ninnekah, Oklahoma, four daughters Kathy Radford of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Evanna Stites of Mannford, Oklahoma, Dolly Berrington and her husband Kyle of Ninnekah, Oklahoma, Rhonda Patterson and her husband Trini of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, one sister Patsy Goforth and her husband Don of Grove, Oklahoma; one sister in law Laurie Cummings of Cleveland, Oklahoma; seventeen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren as well as numerous other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents Ronald was preceded in death by his siblings Randy Cummings, Mary Carter and Donald Cummings and an infant daughter Rhonda Jane Cummings in 1963. Church services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, March 17, 2014, at the Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will follow in the Dixie Bear Creek Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.