Doug Cummings was born to John and Eleanor (Keesee) Cummings in Webb City, Oklahoma, October 31, 1929, and passed on November 26, 2018. Webb City was an oil field camp where the family lived while his father worked for Gulf Oil. The family moved frequently while Doug was a youth, living in oil field camps in NE Oklahoma, SE Kansas and the Seminole area of Oklahoma. He attended over ten elementary schools prior to he and his family settling in Crescent, Oklahoma in 1941. Soon thereafter, he met Peggy Jane Macy, and after graduating from Crescent High School, Doug and Peggy attended the University of Oklahoma and were married in 1951. Doug earned a Geological Engineering Degree from OU and was in ROTC. After college, Doug entered the Army and served in the Korean War. Upon his return from Korea, he applied for a job at Kirkpatrick Oil Company and worked there for almost 20 years. John Kirkpatrick became his mentor and good friend developing a close relationship over the years. In 1973, Cummings Oil Company was started in a back room office of Kirkpatrick Oil, as Mr. Kirkpatrick decided to slow down in the oil business and focus more on philanthropy. Cummings Oil is still in business today, managed by Doug’s two sons, Sean and Brent Cummings.
Doug was active in supporting the Oil and Gas industry serving on the board for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and was chairman in 1988-89. He served on the Board of Directors of Liberty Bank, which eventually became part of Chase Bank and the Board of Directors of ONEOK, the parent of ONG and other oilfield businesses. While overseeing the oil company and many other investments, Doug became very involved in civic activities. He donated to and served in the leadership of multiple entities. Among those, he served as Chairman of the OU Foundation, Kirkpatrick Center, Fred Jones Art Museum at OU, was a Founder and Vice Chairman of the OU Energy Center, Chairman of the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, Red Earth, and the Petroleum Club. He also served on the Boards of the Oklahoma Health Center, The Children’s Center Hospital, Allied Arts, Integris Foundation, Kirkpatrick Foundation, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. Doug was a faithful, long time member and leader of St John’s Episcopal Church and its associated school. His many associations led to meetings with two U.S. Presidents, Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office, and dinner with George H. W. Bush at Cattleman’s restaurant in OKC. He loved his family and had many dear friends. He lived a full life, traveling with Peggy, attending OU Sooners football and basketball games and enjoying art, music, golfing, hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Anita, and two grandsons, Conor and James Cummings. Along with his wife Peggy, two sons, Sean and his wife Terri and Brent, he is survived by his granddaughter, Katie Cummings, his brother, John Cummings and his wife Clare, sister, Kay Oswald, Brother-in-law, Phil Macy and wife, Frances. His four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family thanks all those who have been so supportive and kind to Doug and his family over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum or The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, all located in Oklahoma City. Services are Friday, November 30 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church.
