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07/07/18 12:45 PM #8657    

 

John Wolf

I extend my sympathies to Wray's family.  I know it was a long painful, struggle for Wray and his family.  I was hoping Wray would be able to join us at the 50th class reunion next year, but his suffering needed to end.  He was a cool classmate and one that leaves us all with many wonderful memories.

We'll all miss you, my friend.

Wolfie '69 


07/08/18 11:02 AM #8658    

 

Bob Elliott

God's speed,  I'll remember Wray's significant intellect and one heck of a lick that he put on me in 9th gade footbaall practice.


07/08/18 05:08 PM #8659    

 

Terry Christlieb

So sorry to hear of Wray's passing.  I enjoyed every moment of the time I was able to spend with him in our youth.


07/09/18 08:13 AM #8660    

 

Rick Houchin

I am happy that I reconnected with Wray recently and let him know what an impact  his friendship made to many of us. He was truly unique, and his wry wit was refreshing. He was one of the good ones. I'm also happy for him that his suffering has ended, but our memories will remain.


07/09/18 09:48 AM #8661    

 

Kathy Hiner (Woodard)

It is with a great deal of sadness that I read about Wray Cummings passing.  I am glad that he is no longer suffering, but so sad that I will never see him in this life again.  The first time I ever saw Wray was at our sixth grade solo concert in the spring of '62.  So long ago.  He was so handsome with his curly blonde hair and those blue eyes.  I was a shy, gawky girl, and I was just in awe.  He seemed so sure of himself, and played his trombone with such skill.  We both had solos, I played my flute.  

His sarcasm and as Rick said, his wit were phenomenal.  Not to speak of his intelligence.  Genius level.  One of my favorite memories of him was in someone's basement, when he was playing with a band, I think Denny Morrison was there also, and Karen Burgland and I were going to be GO-GO dancers for the band (yeah, right).  What fun that day was, and then for our 20th reunion, there was an after party, Denise King was there and Wray, and we all had such fun reminiscing.  

Dear Wray - I am glad you are no longer suffering, your memories will live on in many of our hearts and minds.  


07/09/18 11:26 AM #8662    

 

Wayne Garrelts

Rest in peace my friend!! Wray was smart and so talented. He will not only be missed but remembered by many!!


07/09/18 01:12 PM #8663    

 

Candi Imming

A. E. Housman's Shropshire Lad:

With rue my heart is laden
For golden friends I had,
For many a rose-lipt maiden
And many a lightfoot lad.

By brooks too broad for leaping
The lightfoot boys are laid;
The rose-lipt girls are sleeping
In fields where roses fade.

To Wray, a lightfoot lad, we will fondly remember well.


07/09/18 01:32 PM #8664    

 

Nancy Rogers (Williams)

We are so sorry to hear of Wray’s passing. He was the epitome of a 69er...smart, funny, full of life!  I’ll remember him fondly.


07/09/18 02:55 PM #8665    

 

Kathy Hiner (Woodard)

Candi - what a great and fitting poem! I keep thinking we will live forever, but these last few weeks have shown me differently.  My dear Uncle Dave McDowell passed away recently, and my brother Jimmy just underwent vein removal in his leg, with the risk of having a heart attack. My mom let me know her birthday was in 1933 not 1936, although she is in relatively good health.  

I read the Buffalo County tales often, and think of all the people who have gone before us, and will come after us also, I kept thinking the fountain of youth would be available to us, although with robotics and replacement limbs and parts it is not too far into the future.  

When I was in third grade, I wrote a poem about time, and how swiftly it flies.   Were we not just eighteen?  Did we not just enjoy the beauty of Nebraska summers, the joy of Harmon Park swimming, riding our bikes in the early morning to band practice or majorette practice?   These joys are still in my heart as I think of all of  you and your lives, your joys, your sorrow, your happiness.  We were and still are the best that Kearney could have ever had as youth and as adults.  


07/09/18 02:56 PM #8666    

 

Dick Barney

Well said Candi. He is back at peace.


07/09/18 09:53 PM #8667    

 

Betty Lindholm (Streff)

Our grandson Nick and Steve Eatherton’s grandson Nolan are teammates on Legion Baseball Post 52. Often Nick catches when Nolan pitches. Our grandkids are growing up! One in college, two will be juniors already. They are the joy of my heart! Super crazy lake hair but we caught them all for 5 minutes on the Fourth.❤️

 

I was in awe of Wray for all the reasons everyone has shared. When we first learned of his illness I sent him a couple of cards. I’d like to send a card to the family. What family does he leave? Where did he live? Is there an address? 

 

 

 


07/10/18 08:11 AM #8668    

 

Betty Lindholm (Streff)

Something to think about!!

http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/557455850/0/sethsblog/posts~years-ago/


07/10/18 10:11 AM #8669    

Dick Garrelts (70)

Wray's services are pending.  Online condolences to the family may be sent to

https://aspenaftercare.com/obituary/donald-wray-cummings/

More information will be provided as it is available.

 


07/11/18 01:28 PM #8670    

 

Kathy Hiner (Woodard)

Betty - interesting blog and yes, it does give you food for thought. Hope all is well with you, enjoyed seeing pictures of your family on the 4th.  

Thank you Dick for the info about where to send condolences.


07/11/18 11:03 PM #8671    

Dick Garrelts (70)

Glad to be of assistance, Kathy.

As underclassmen, we often viewed the 69ers as big brothers ... that's where we'll be next year; who do I want to emulate, ...  I was merely an acquaintance of Wray, who was in fact my friend's big brother. Wray was one who commanded respect and admiration. I'll always remember him that way.


07/12/18 12:08 AM #8672    

 

Julie Ender (Jackson)

Smart, handsome, funny and so much more.  "Cool Wray" Cummings.  A well deserved nick name.


07/12/18 12:53 PM #8673    

 

Nancy Rogers (Williams)

March 28, 1951 - July 6, 2018

Donald Wray Cummings died July 6 after a long struggle with cancer, throughout which he remained ever optimistic that he would triumph. Born March 28, 1951, in Scottsbluff to Don and Dorothy Cummings, he grew up in Kearney where he graduated from high school and later college. Wray moved to Lincoln where he married and gained his most treasured title of “Dad”.

Preceded in death by his parents and brother Kim. Survived by son Christopher Cummings, daughter Katie (Josh) Kettel, and brother Jerry Cummings, all of Lincoln.

His ashes will be interned at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Services pending at a later date. The family requests any memoriam sent to the Capital Humane Society.


07/12/18 02:16 PM #8674    

 

Susan Reiber (Holt)

I am sad to hear of Wray's passing, and like the rest of you, glad his suffering is over. Lots of good memories, especially of watching all the guys in "the band" practicing. Wray always enjoyed it when he knew he went over my head with his intellect and humor. (Which was quite often). He woud smile that wry smile knowing I was just pretending to know what the heck he was talking about! He was so gifted, onery, and handsome.  It is a blessing to have known him, and to be able to call him my friend. Rest in peace, dear friend.


07/16/18 02:39 PM #8675    

 

Randy Brown


07/16/18 02:43 PM #8676    

 

Randy Brown

Borrowed picture from Morrison posting to N.R.W.


07/17/18 02:50 PM #8677    

 

Susan Reiber (Holt)

Randy, I just looked at all the wonderful pictures of Kearney you posted. I believe Kenwood School was where some of us went to Kindergarten.  I rode my bike there all the way from Shady Lane Motel.  And when it snowed I walked there through the snow. Guess that would be child abuse and parent neglect these days. I remember they had a HUGE pile cardbooard blocks, and we got to fingerpaint alot.  I also remember how I hated those painful red marks my red rubber boots made on the backs of my legs .  I'm sure that there are a lot of us that have that memory.


07/17/18 10:31 PM #8678    

Denise King (Capek)

Also sad at Wray's passing.   It is a loss for all, especially his family.  Wray had a rare combination of high intelligence and creativity.  When we were in the 5 th grade at Emerson, there was a weekly assignment to write a story using all 20 of the week's spelling words.  Wray wrote a hilarious story about a space alien trying to fit in on Earth, but kept getting tripped up by language idioms.  It opened my eyes to the creative opportunity that assignment was instead of a drudgery.  Those of us who has been writing "see Spot run stories", greatly improved our efforts.   Wray unintentionally made those around him do better, just trying to keep up.   Ripples on the pond the way our lives touch others.  Yes the world is a less cool place with Wray's passing.  To everything there is a season... A time to laugh ( with the memories) and a time to weep ( with the loss )   Sincerest sympathies to his family


07/19/18 04:13 PM #8679    

 

Randy Brown

Susan,

I tried to call, but got voice mail box. . . . Hmmm.

Those pictures of Kearney were posted years ago. Need to up date the photos.

The school you are thinking about is  A.O. Thomas, now Thomas Hall on the K.S.C. or now U.N.K. campus.  They had kindergarden in the room on the west end of the building, 1 - 6 elementry classes also. I went there until I transfered to Whittier in third grade. Met Patty McClara! You were at Whittier at that time. The bike ride you took was about a mile along Hiway 30 past the Corral Cafe.

I also remember the Huge pile of Huge red brick ( cardboard ) blocks, ( about the size of a shoe box ). I talked my Mom into taking me back when  I was older so I could play with them again.

I remember the finger paints, how they smelled, and how they tasted. Paste was good too.

Do you remember your rug? Mine was a blue and white tied rag type with the loose end fringe. We brought our rugs from home so we had something to lay on when we took our naps on the concrete floor.

The wosrt part was the snack they gave us. The graham crackers were ok, but had to wash them down with room temp. unsweetened grapefruit juice. Took effort. What an education.

Brownie

P.S. Never wore the red rubber boots, mine were black, and if you did not buckel them, your two boots would lock together and down you would go in the slush puddle you were not to be playing in.


07/20/18 05:16 PM #8680    

Dick Garrelts (70)

a message to the Class from Jerry Cummings ... "Their comments have touched us deeply."

 
"I just finished reading the 69er comments about Wray and am deeply touched.  Seeing your brother through the eyes of his friends is a special perspective.  As a lad I knew him best from the bumps and bruises brothers ‘inflict’ upon each other as the ritual brothers experience enroute to manhood.  Bob, I empathize with your recollection of ’the lick’.
 
Since returning to the States and Lincoln in 2016, I got to spend time with Wray in ways we, as kids, never envisioned.  I was his transport to Omaha for his medical appointments at the UNO Medical Center.  I assumed that role from Sally Johnson whose devotion exceeds my ability to describe and Sid Connor who exemplifies the highest example of human love for one’s fellow man.
 
Most of our trips began with me bloviating about whatever was on my mind…usually politics.  The ‘conversations’ were largely one-sided given Wray’s inability at that point to speak; so I had the advantage of not having to parry him shredding my positions.  What a loss that; his voice was so soothing and most often carried thoughts worthy to consider.
 
Our visits would range in time from a couple of hours to several hours, depending on whether he would receive chemo or simply undergo labs.  Regardless of the procedure, he would meet me in the waiting area, apologize for having kept me waiting and express his appreciation for my time.  Never complain, never demonstrate self-pity.  The return trips were usually in complete silence because he’d fall into a deep and exhausted sleep.
 
We were scheduled to return to Omaha on 13 June so the physicians could assess his condition and proscribe the next treatments.  We didn’t make it.  Wray fell ill and was admitted to Bryan West where he received the most attentive and caring medical assistance possible.  His family was with him daily and a nurse purchased a cloth kitten to keep him company during our absence.  It was with him to his end.  I wasn’t present when Wray passed but was told he was not under stress, nor in pain.  It simply was time for Wray to cross life’s threshold.
 
On behalf of his family, Laura and I wish to thank you for your kind thoughts and for sharing memories.  You are all indeed special."
Jerry Cummings ('70)

07/21/18 11:25 AM #8681    

 

Candi Imming


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