Larry Jene Cummings passed away Friday, April 8, 2022, at Copper Ridge Health and Rehab in Butte, Montana. His beautiful, big blue eyes closed for the last time at 8:51pm. He was 83 years old. Prior to his passing, he had fought a brief illness and had endured many years of vascular dementia. He had always remembered his family and friends though, despite his dementia. Larry bravely passed with family at his side, with love and peace ushering him to his heavenly family.
Larry was born in Barrackville, West Virginia, Thursday, August 18, 1938, to Joseph and Hazel (White) Cummings and was the middle of 3 children. He was raised and educated in West Virginia and Ohio, where he participated in high school football and basketball. Following high school graduation in 1956, he joined the U.S. Army in 1957 and spent 6 months in the reserves in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Fort Dix, New Jersey. He served honorably and his continued love and dedication to his country was inspiring.
After his time in the military, Larry worthily served a proselytizing mission in southern California for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After his mission, Larry settled in Salt Lake City, Utah, and married Hazel Parkinson in the Salt Lake City Temple. Shortly after, Larry began
his career as a brakeman for the Union Pacific Railroad. Although it was a strenuous career, Larry always expressed love and gratitude for the railroad and had many fond memories from years on those train tracks as he traveled routes between Pocatello, Idaho; Dillon, Montana; Green River, Wyoming; Nampa, Idaho; and Ogden, Utah.
Larry and Hazel moved to Rexburg, Idaho, in 1975, where they raised their family. Hazel worked for her father managing the books for the family farm. Larry continued to work for the railroad. They were blessed with their first two children through adoption, Ginger in 1976, and Kris in 1978. Hazel gave birth to their 3rd child, Jenny, in 1982.
After retiring from the railroad (34 ½ years!), Larry moved to Kalispell, Montana. He bought and spent his time running The White Birch Motel and RV Park. After 15 years in Kalispell, Larry moved back to Idaho and then to Utah to be close to his daughter, Jenny. They had a riot together and spent as much time together as possible laughing, cooking, doing puzzles, and in the outdoors. Larry's next adventure brought him to Butte, Montana, where he was able to live with his son, Kris, for the remainder of his life. Larry loved being with family, especially his grandkids. He cherished those times.
Larry will always be remembered for his quick-wit and sense of humor. He loved to laugh and make everyone around him smile and belly-laugh and loved to tease and tell jokes. He was a very loyal and generous man and was always willing to help whoever was in need. His graciousness was a gift to all. A true gentleman. A very competitive and excellent athlete, Larry enjoyed basketball, golf, and softball. As an avid outdoorsman, Larry skillfully fished, hunted, and camped, and always appreciated and cared for nature and its generosity in both beauty and sustenance. He felt flowers should never be picked, as he wanted others to be able to enjoy them. He was an expert in guns and ammo, reloading his own bullets. He was also an expert at fly tying. Larry was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had resolute beliefs and moral convictions. He was a master at puzzles and chess and could rarely be beat in skill or speed. He fondly remembers doing puzzles as a child with his
grandma Lina on the farm in West Virginia. He loved bananas and oftentimes called himself a "banana hound"! He loved children and you could always see his face brighten around them.
He had a curious mind and loved to read. His family loved to hear him sing as he had a beautiful voice. Dancing was also something Larry loved to do and could impress everyone else on the dancefloor. A natural optimist, he could cheer and give insightful advice from his years of experience and wisdom. Larry also loved politics and had strong convictions. He imparted the importance of self-sustainability and was a true example of such a lifestyle. His work ethic was incredible, and he always ensured his family was cared for. He loved garage sales and buying items with history or character—or buying items in case YOU needed them. He loved "sun shiny days". Larry was handsome and humble, genuine and selfless. He always wrote in cursive and had beautiful penmanship and was poetic in his letters.
Larry is survived by his first wife Hazel, daughter and son-in-law Jenny Cummings and Daniel Hulverson of Salt Lake City, Utah. Son and daughter-in-law Kris and Deserae (Belair) Cummings of Butte, Montana. Daughter and son-in-law Ginger (Jerry) Youngstrom of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Grandchildren: Paisley Hulverson, Tylynne Cummings, Kasen Pearce, Rebecka Cummings, Kiersten Cummings, Aubrey Cummings, Tricity Youngstrom, Holly Youngstrom, and Nataley Youngstrom. Also surviving are his beloved sisters, Joanne Boone of Fort Gratiot, Michigan, and
Barbara Dew, of Mineral Ridge, Ohio, many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as his lifelong friends Ben White and Dana Miller. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Cummings and Hazel Cummings Quinby and brothers-in-law Roy Dew and Daniel Boone.
In the spirit of Larry, let us all have more kindness, hope, and laughter. Right a wrong. Overlook a grudge, don't keep score. Feed the stranger. Help your neighbor. Pray for the lonely. Set aside judgement. Love without reservation. Take the time. Show up. Put your phone down. Be
present. Let the outdoor experience cleanse your soul!
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU LARRY—YOU HAVE FOREVER CHANGED OUR HEARTS. Thank you for teaching and loving us. May your next adventure be happy, free, and full of love.
A viewing will be held at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, Idaho, Saturday, April 16, 2022, from 9am-10:30am. Graveside interment services will then be conducted at the Rexburg Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.