Obituary: Cumming, John Lincoln
Age 94
John L. Cumming, beloved husband, father, grand-father, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away in Spokane September 15, 2013 at the young age of 94.
Born June 19, 1919 on a remote homestead in northeastern Montana, he began his education at Northern Montana College and Linfield College.
Interrupted by one year with the CCC and 4 Ă‚Ë?
years of service as Captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he ultimately graduated from University of Montana in Economics and Sociology.
After serving in personnel management with the Bureau of Reclamation in Montana, he felt called to his Lord’s ministry, graduated from Fuller Seminary, attended North Park Theological Seminary, and served three churches in Missouri, Illinois, and Spokane over the next 11 years.
He then returned as a personnel officer with Washington State DSHS.
A consummate teacher, he continued his ministry as a Bible Study teacher for over 25 years at Shadle Park Presbyterian Church.
John and his sweetheart Jane were married in Wichita, Kansas during World War II, then led an adventuresome life in Nebraska, Montana, California, Missouri, Illinois, and Washington, raising three children and leaving a legacy of appreciation for worship, voracious reading, music, learning, photography, art, the outdoors, canoeing, and masterful gardening.
We devoured his tomatoes!
John’s family treasures his many colorful and detailed stories of the privileges and hardships of growing up on the Montana homestead, stories told both verbally and in his written life story.
A man of discipline, he kept a daily diary faithfully for over 50 years.
John’s lifetime outlook reflected his deep gratitude for the gift of God’s creation.
After retiring he and Jane also served many winters as volunteers for Wycliffe Bible Translators in Tucson, Arizona.
John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jane; his son, David; daughters Mary Lindeblad (John) and Martha Rothschild, all of Spokane; grandchildren Christianne (Brian) Reid, Ingrid (Andrew) Finstuen, Dan and Kelsey Cumming, and six great-grandchildren, Emily, Trey, Kali, Bailey, Carl, and Harald, all of whom gave him great joy.
His love of family and of Jesus Christ deeply heartened all who knew him.
As Billy Graham said, “My home is in Heaven.
I’m just traveling through this world.”
Time to rest, good and faithful servant.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 21, at 2:00 p.m. at Shadle Park Presbyterian Church, 5508 N. Alberta, Spokane, Washington.
Memorial gifts may be given to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O.
Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200.