James Nelson Cummins

Son, cousin, brother, Eagle Scout, soldier, scholar, husband, father, scientist, apple whisperer, sailor, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, mentor, storyteller, writer, gardener, champion hog caller– Dr. James Nelson Cummins was a remarkable man who led a remarkable life. Jim was born on January 22, 1925 in a snowstorm in the tiny village of Dix, Illinois, to Nelson and Gladys Riley Cummins. He passed away in Maryville, TN, on June 23, 2026 at the age of 101 with Cindy, his beloved wife of nearly 78 years, close by. He is predeceased by his parents; sister Margaret Ann Walbert; a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his eldest son, James R. Cummins.

Jim spent his first 43 years in Southern Illinois, with a few side trips for WWII, the Korean War, and several degrees; the next 40 years in Geneva, New York, where he became renowned as an expert in the apple breeding and rootstock development world; and finally to Tennessee, where he continued to love the feel of soil upon his fingers and the smell of things growing strong.

He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Dix until high school, when he went to the “big city” to attend Mt. Vernon High. At age 17 he enrolled in the University of Illinois; however, when the U.S. entered into WWII, he was called back to help manage the family orchard. Shortly afterwards, when he turned 18, he enlisted in the US Army and served as a forward artillery observer from 1944-1946 with campaigns in Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, he returned to the University of Illinois on the GI bill. Hitching a ride from the university back to Mt. Vernon with his housemate and fellow veteran Max Firebaugh, he met a fellow co-ed, Max’s sister, Lucinda (Cindy). They were married a few months after they both graduated, on August 8, 1948, beginning a long and storied life together, ultimately resulting in 5 children and their spouses (whom he counted among his children), 11 grandchildren (and many spouses), 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren—so far.

In 1950, when baby James was just 10 days old, Jim was called up to war again, this time in Korea. Jim and Cindy wrote to each other daily during this year apart, and their words reflect what was to become nearly eight decades of devotion to each other. When he returned from a year in Korea, Jim, Cindy, and baby James—and soon John and Peter—began their own orcharding life together, purchasing 100 acres of near-abandoned farm and a little red house near Alto Pass, IL. To supplement their income, Jim taught high school science while also working on his graduate degree. Jim went on to earn a master’s degree in education, a master’s degree in botany, and ultimately a PhD in botany at Southern Illinois University.

In 1967, Jim accepted a dream offer to work for Cornell University at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, and the family—now including Stephen and Sarah—moved from Carbondale, IL to Geneva, NY, first to Castle Street and then to Glass Factory Bay, on the shores of Seneca Lake. While at Geneva he developed and grew an apple rootstock breeding program that would transform orchards worldwide. The Geneva® rootstocks Jim helped develop continue to influence apple production on six continents and are widely regarded as one of the more significant advances in modern orchard systems. Over the course of his career, he authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, mentored generations of researchers and growers, and received many professional honors. Jim was always excited about what came next, always thinking about the next apple tree, the next experiment, and the next conversation.

From his quiet beginnings in southern Illinois, Jim traveled all over the world to every continent except Antarctica. But his favorite places were simple ones. He loved nothing more than to stroll through an apple orchard, any season, anywhere. He loved cross-country skiing under a full moon, sailing his red-bottomed K-Boat on Seneca Lake, and reading a book—usually several books at once. He was a masterful storyteller, holding his audiences spellbound, but even he would admit that his jokes were terrible. He loved history and had an astounding memory for historical events, including quite obscure ones. He authored two books of stories and poetry based on his early life, his gift of words preserving memories for future generations. He was a man of tremendous curiosity, wisdom, and determination.

Faith was central to Jim's life. He believed deeply in serving others and demonstrated that commitment through a lifetime of generosity, stewardship, and compassion. Wherever Jim and Cindy lived—from Illinois to New York to Tennessee and on sabbaticals in Germany and Australia—they found a church home and became vital members of that congregation, serving as leaders and teachers for most of their lives. Jim especially loved sharing his knowledge of church history.

Jim's greatest joy was his family, and he was their greatest cheerleader. He encouraged his family to pursue their passions and to keep learning new things. To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren he was their Opa, who peeled apples for them; took them sailing and canoeing; showed them how to plant and prune; read them books; and taught them how to find purpose, beauty, and joy in this life and the next. He was always interested in what they were doing and, even at 101, was up-to-date on their lives and asked about them by name.

His roots run deep through the lives of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, colleagues, students, and all who knew him. His legacy lives on not only in the orchards and research programs he helped build, but especially and most importantly in the family he cherished, the people he served, and the countless lives he touched along the way. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

He is survived by his wife, Lucinda (Cindy); his four surviving children and their spouses: John (Sharon) of New Market; Peter (Nancy) of Seymour; Stephen (Jennifer Schwarz) of Ithaca, NY; and Sarah (Randy) Small of Alcoa; 11 grandchildren: Esther Cummins, Ellen (Justus) Hunter, April (Jeremy) Reed, Owen (Brianna) Cummins, Isaac (Courtney) Cummins, Jesse (Summer) Small, Seth (Hannah Carnes) Cummins, Laurel (Hunter) Maerz, Duncan (Mason Fitzgerald) Small, Kollman Cummins, and Maxwell Cummins; great-grandchildren Abigail, Justus, Miles, Lucy, Rose, Xavier (Madison), Corena (Sam), Judah, Soren, Rory, Cider, and Lucinda June; great-great grandchildren Rose and Henry; and his nephew Scott (Brigit) Cummins.

The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Brookdale Sandy Springs (especially Rosa!), who lavished love on Jim in his last year, and to Gentiva Hospice, who provided such dedicated service and tender kindness.

Please join the family for a celebration of Jim’s remarkable life on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Louisville Christian Church, 2826 Topside Rd, Louisville, TN 37777. Graveside service will be held at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Gov. John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, with military promptness at 2 p.m.

Jim viewed himself as a steward of the many blessings God entrusted to him and was a generous giver of his wisdom, time, and resources. He faithfully supported his local church (Louisville Christian Church), numerous missionaries and mission organizations, wounded veterans, disaster relief efforts, medical research—particularly Alzheimer's research—and organizations serving children and families. He was also a passionate advocate for higher education, and had a particular fondness for Milligan University and Johnson University. Those wishing to honor Jim's memory are invited to make a contribution to one of these causes or organizations, or to another charitable endeavor that reflects his lifelong commitment to faith, service, learning, and helping others.

Finally, In honor of Jim, please buy some apples, preferably from a local market, but definitely not Red Delicious. Jim was known to sidle up to unsuspecting shoppers contemplating a bag of Red Delicious apples and gently steer them toward a more suitable alternative. After all, he had spent a lifetime helping people make better choices: about apples—and about living.

Online condolences may be left at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Cummins family.