Jesse “Coach” Cummings of Corsicana went home to be with his heavenly Father on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at the age of 90.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Corley Funeral Home. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at First United Methodist Church, Corsicana. Graveside services will follow immediately at Oakwood Cemetery.
Cummings was born June 30, 1917, in Burksville, Ky. He attended primary grades in Kentucky but in 1936 he graduated from Trenton High School, Trenton, Texas. On Nov. 11, 1936, he moved to Fort Worth to attend business school and at that time he signed with the Fort Worth Cats Baseball Club. Due to illness his time with the Cats was short.
In 1941, Jesse enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served in Europe during World War II. After returning home in 1946, he entered East Texas State Teachers College, Commerce. While at ETSTC, Cummings lettered in football, track and baseball. In 1949, he graduated from ETSTC with a master’s degree in physical education.
Cummings began his 36 years of coaching for public schools in Corsicana in 1949. During his career, he coached football, track and baseball for both Corsicana and Palestine High schools. He was part of the 1964 State Championship football team coaching staff. Preparing for retirement, Jesse moved back to Corsicana in 1979 and coached until 1985. At that time he retired from public school but went directly to Navarro College and volunteered to coach for the next 17 years.
In 1987, Cummings began competing in the Senior Olympics. In 1994, he was inaugurated into the Fannin County Hall of Fame. In 1999, Navarro College dedicated the Jesse and Lou Cummings softball field in honor of his many years of service. In 2002, Coach Cummings was inaugurated in the NJCAA Hall of Fame. Jesse’s passion for coaching and his love for people will be missed by all.
Coach Cummings is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alma Lucille; daughters, Lynn Kidwell and husband, Mark, of Colleyville, and Sandra Daniels of Sulphur Springs; son, Randy Cummings and wife, Kerrie, of Fort Worth; sister, Mabel French of Indiana; brother, Henry Cummings of Kentucky, sister-in-law, Virginia Cummings of Burkesville, Ky.; grandsons, Kevin Kidwell of Colleyville, Chris Kidwell of Little Elm, David Daniels of Houston and Cody Cummings of Fort Worth; granddaughters, Leanne Trott and husband, Aaron, of Houston and Kathy Kidwell of Colleyville; and great-grandchild, Rylie Cummings of Fort Worth.
Michael Alexander, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Corsicana, and Dave Alexander, hospice chaplain, will be leading the memorial service. Pallbearers will be Kevin Kidwell, Chris Kidwell, David Daniels, Cody Cummings, Aaron Trott, Hugh Hasley, Jim Hasley, and Cody Herod. Honorary pallbearers will be the 1958 Corsicana High baseball team and Coach’s special caregivers Patsy, DJ, Cody, Rachel, Brittany, Lauren, Jack, Ruby and Bessie.
In lieu of flowers, Coach’s family encourages you make a contribution to your favorite charitable organization.
An online guest book is available at www.corleyfuneralhome.com by selecting the Jesse Cummings obituary.
Arrangements by Corley Funeral Home.
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Jesse 'Coach' Cummings 1/25/08
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