Joseph Kenneth Cummins
June 15, 1925 - June 4, 2011
Joseph Kenneth (Ken) Cummins
"Our Energizer Bunny"
1925-2011
Our loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend passed away Saturday, June 4, 2011. Born June 15, 1925, in Salt Lake City to Joseph Ernest and Leola Horne Cummins. Married June 10, 1949, to Durrellene (Dee) May Dockstader who preceded him in death in 1956. Ken and Dee were sealed to each other and their children in 2006.
Ken devoted his life and love to his children and his Heavenly Father, and his charitable heart to his friends. He was loved, respected, and admired by all who knew him. Ken served faithfully in every calling he was given in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially as a caring home teacher and welfare chairman. He was non-judgmental and forgiving; he exemplified a true Christ-like love for his fellow human beings. Integrity, charity, honor, truth, and valor are synonymous with how he lived his life. Besides supporting many charities and worthy causes, such as children in Africa, Ken most recently delivered "Meals on Wheels".
Ken grew up in SLC, graduated from East High, and served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He earned his BA and MA in Elementary Education and Administration at the U of U, and his PhD at UCLA. He taught school in Portland, Oregon, and in the SLC and Granite School Districts, became principal at South Kearns Elementary, then GSD’s first "assistant principal", (Brockbank Jr. High).
Often in the summers, Ken drove taxicabs or buses (Yellowstone Park Company, Trailways, and UTA). Ken loved to travel, and after retiring, he became a travel agent (Christopherson Travel). His most cherished place to visit and work was Yellowstone National Park where Ken spent six of his golden years as an employee of Hamilton Stores. He was a beloved member of the Intermountain Cadillac Club. Wherever he went, he made life-long friendships.
Ken loved music, theater, chess, bowling, the St Louis Cardinals, and especially his "Runnin’ Utes". The Crimson Club recognized Ken as their very first "Super Fan".
Survived by his children Vicky (Dennis) Pettey, Tanya Cummins, Randy (Melanie) Cummins; grandchildren Denise, Andrew, Michelle, Alex, Danielle, Devin, Ava, Aiden; great-grandchildren Oakley, Treyden, Ellie; and sister Leonore Schouten. Ken was preceded in death by his wife Durrellene; parents; brothers George Cummins and Lawrence Cummins; and sister Opal Stroh.
Funeral services will be held, Friday, June 10, 2011 at 12:00 noon, Valley View 3rd Ward (4101 S. 1925 E., Holladay). Friends and family may visit Thursday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday, 10:30-11:45 a.m. also at the church. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Ken’s memory by giving service to others. Many thanks to those at the VA Hospital and CNS Hospice who so lovingly cared for Ken.
In Loving Memory
Dear Vicky,Tonya,Randy & Families, Many Many condolences to each of you and your families. It was nice to learn of his great and loving achivements in life especially that of having each of you sealed in the temaple to your parents. It must have been a very special and event. I also know of the sorrow of losing a wife of unatural circumstance, and to cancer and a daughter as well to cancer. It is not a pleasant expericent. May each of you be so blessed as not to experience such sadness personally. Best of success and Sincerest regards. P.S. If you do not know, Arnold has served for several years as a counselor in a ward Bishopric, been a long time scouter, his wife a Stake Relief Society President, Both Children Graduated from College and looking at careers in the Health Industry. Arnold has retired a a computer specialist from a major firm and is now doing consultant work in the same field. Yolande is working successfully in the Banking Industriy. Sincerest regards, Dr. Paul H. Lefevor, a fellow Elementary Principal in Granite for 27 years.
Dr. Paul H. Lefevor
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To the children of Mr. Cummins I saw your Father's obit this morn I offer my condolences. I will not be able to attend but wish you all the best for healing and please know that he is home and happy. I sure enjoyed seeing him at the South Kearns 50 th Anniversary. He is a fine man and will enjoy being with your mum and the rest of the family.. Keep smilin' Bee happy... Bless you ~Alice
Alice Howell
West Valley City, Ut
Help, I've been informed and I can't bomece ignorant.
Clara
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Dilly
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Heloise
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