Larry Cummings
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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 the military, Larry served 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 LDS 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.
They moved to Rexburg, 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 1/2 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 whomever 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 brother-in-laws 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.
Services were held at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, Idaho, Saturday, April 16, 2022 from
9am-10:30am. Graveside interment services were at the Rexburg Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.