D. Allen Cumings

David Allen Cumings (Sr.) was born on October 17, 1926, in Sparta, MI, the fifth of eight children to Wilfred and Ethel Cumings. He grew up on the family farm, where he learned many of the valuable lessons that would serve him well throughout his life: a strong work ethic, ingenuity, and sharing what he had to help those in need. He graduated from Sparta High School. In 1944, he married Maxine Pinckney. They settled in Sparta to raise their five children, where he was also an active leader at Sparta Baptist Church, serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sunday School superintendent, youth choir director, high school Bible study teacher, junior high Sunday School teacher and tenor in the men’s quartet.

Allen worked for several years at the Sparta Foundry and the William A. Rogers Company until he started his own business, East Sparta Farm Supply (aka East Sparta Equipment, Inc.) in 1957. During those years, he was also chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and active in community events. He ran that successful Case tractor dealership until his first “retirement” in 1976, when he began volunteering his business savvy and people skills as Director of Development at the Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music. A similar position followed at the Grand Rapids Baptist College and Seminary (now Cornerstone University). The opportunity to move west was presented by Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, where Allen served as Vice President of Development from 1982-84. After a brief return to Michigan, Allen and Maxine moved permanently to Portland, OR, where he served as Director of Development for the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association (1985-86) and Executive Director of Law Enforcement Ministries, a police chaplaincy ministry. He retired from formal employment in 1991, but remained active on various boards (e.g. Cannon Beach Conference Center, Portland Released-Time Education Program [PREP], and Delta Ministries), and at his home church, Montavilla Baptist Church, where he served as Vice Moderator and was active in the Ambassador class. He also enjoyed buying and selling tools and equipment, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

On May 23, 2012, Allen was ushered into the presence of his Heavenly Father after a five-year battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Maxine; siblings Vernon (wife Marijean) Cumings and Bonnilu DeVries, both of Sparta, MI; sisters-in-law, Wanda Cumings Vincent of Ripon, CA, Ruth Cumings of Lees Summit, MO, and Corrinn Cumings of Kent City, MI; children David Jr. (wife Carolyn) of Sparta, MI, Jon (wife Becky) of Clackamas, OR, Robert (wife Kristy) of Lynden, WA, Diane (husband Jeff) Boone of Milwaukie, OR, and Victoria of Milwaukie, OR; grandchildren Kristen (husband Todd) Chatman, Julie (husband Scott) Pierce, Alisa (husband Steve) Dertien, Troy (wife Becky) Cumings and Mackenzie (wife Vanessa) Cumings of Grand Rapids, MI, Audra (husband Ian) Harvey of Ontario, Canada, Brandon Cumings, Holly Cumings, Joshua Boone, Catherine Boone, Christina Boone, and Miranda Cumings of Portland, OR, Brian (wife Joy) Cumings of Austin, TX, Gallagher (wife Melissa) Cumings of Billings, MT, and Keelia Cumings of Morrison, IL; and 15-1/2 great-grandchildren.

Interment at Lincoln Park Memorial Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be sent to The Gideons International, a ministry with which Allen was involved for many years. (www.gideons.org).