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.
Legacy
Related Photos
Discussion
Jesse 'Coach' Cummings 1/25/08
- Legacy
-
-
Marvin Allen Mahoney
Marvin Allen Mahoney, born March 25, 1927, in Pursley to Roscoe L. and Macon Mahoney, died April 8, 2010, in Dallas. Allen was a World War II veteran, a horse trainer, and a retiree from the City of Mesquite Service Center.
-
Lois Nolan Freeman
Lois Nolan Freeman, 97, died Saturday, April 10, 2010, at Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg. She was born Aug. 22, 1912. Formerly of Corsicana, she lived her later years in San Saba.
-
Stafford Beaubouef
Stafford Beaubouef of Corsicana passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Navarro Regional Hospital at the age of 86. -
Laura Ray Wittler
Laura Ray Wittler of Corsicana went to be with the Lord at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2010
-
Lettie Jane Ivy Cook
Lettie Jane Ivy Cook of Barry, formerly of Blooming Grove, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.
-
Angus Kent McGilvary
Angus Kent McGilvary was born on April 26, 1915, in Navarro County. He grew up in Streetman where he still resided. He passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Fairfield.
-
Hazel Andrews McNeeley
Hazel Andrews McNeeley, age 84, passed away Friday, April 30.
-
John Francis Metoskie
John Francis Metoskie, age 95, of Corsicana died peacefully on May 1, at Heritage Oaks Retirement Village. He was born on April 21, 1915 in Suffern, New York to parents Elizabeth and John Metoskie where he spent his childhood.
-
Sue Dillard
Eva “Sue” Black Cavin Dillard, 71, passed away on April 7, 2010, at home surrounded by her family in Corsicana.
-
Jimmy Lee Armstrong
Jimmy Lee Armstrong, 75, of Blooming Grove, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2010. He was born July 9, 1934, in Chambers Bottom, Navarro County, to Sol and Mamie Armstrong. - More Legacy Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
