Leo King Cummins

He was born on April 16, 1921 the eldest of 2 children to Preutiss Leo and Flavia (King) Cummins in Newton, Illinois. He lived in several places, including Washington, Oregon and South Dakota, graduating from high school in Edgemont, South Dakota. He then attended college at University of Nebraska, earning his forestry degree, graduating from Colorado A & M University. He enlisted in the US Navy after graduation as an officer, serving in the South Pacific Theater of World War II, as a skipper of an L.C.T. After his honorable service in the Navy, he worked for the timber industry, and then taught forestry at the University of Montana’s School of Forestry. He was a guest teacher at Yale University on several occasions. He met Geraldine Hunter at a dance, where he thought she was a nice dancer. He asked her parents if he could dance with her, and they were married later for 50 years until her passing in 1993. He then met Helen in 1998 at a dance introduced by friends, and after being her dance partner for 2 years, they were wed on March 28, 2000. He loved golf, dancing with Helen, playing cards, and was a studious man. He was kind, gentle, and caring, and always had a smile to his face. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, American Society of Foresters, and an alumni member of the University of Montana Forestry program.

Leo is survived by his wife of 16 years, Helen; daughter Kathleen Cummins Hoffman; granddaughter M. Hunter Hoffman Buffington; great grandson Rahzel Buffington; great granddaughter Noelle Cummins; sister Margaret Sheenan, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Scott Preutiss Cummins, grandson Michael Scott Cummins and sister Nadine Cummins.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, April 20, at 11:00 am at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park.