Gordon Graham Cummings

Gordon Graham Cummings Jr., born September 28, 1956. Let me tell you about my best friend, my husband, my coworker, father to my girls, friend to any who liked to talk, man of God and the love of my life. He was the man who would offer his help, listen and advise, who could make you laugh with his dad jokes and silly stories that I heard so many times. He was the man with the candy that the children adored. He was our “cruise director” in this life. Taking us places and introducing us to people that we may have never met without his outgoing spirit. 

His girls were the highlight of his life. Always being there when Rachel had car issues, watching soccer with her (that was a gift), helping her choose flowers for her new town home, driving her car all the way over Lookout Pass after Christmas because the roads were icy and then taking the train back to Whitefish. In the same week, he did the same for Sarah, which was exhausting, but something he would do whenever they needed him to. He streamed Sarah’s volleyball games at Whitworth University where she is the Head Athletic Trainer. He got to know some of her players and their parents, and I had to calm him down when we were streaming games as he would get frustrated when they missed serves...you’d think he was still coaching! I can hear him say, “that’s the one element of the game you can control!!” He supported Sarah’s horse habits even though he had a few choice words for her horse.

Gordie was a minister of the Gospel for 10 years in South Dakota and Montana, serving congregations is Polson, Ronan, and St Ignatius, before becoming an optician for 25 years. He enjoyed people and loved to help all who came into the Ronan Eye Clinic. His goal was to provide the best eye wear and best service to his customers and the veterans that came to see him. He spent many hours getting to know his patients, who he loved.

If it was in his power, he supported our dreams. He did; however, have a love for chickens that we supported (even if we didn’t want to at times). Raising fancy chickens and cleaning cages was not the “dream” of his girls, but the lessons they learned have stayed with them to this day. We raised a few cows, chickens, goats, and horses and also had a few sheep. He supported the girls in 4-H horse project, sheep project and was the poultry barn superintendent for many years. He, especially, enjoyed judging poultry at the Lake, Flathead, and Sanders County fairs and speaking with the children.

Whatever our girls were involved in - he was involved in. He coached at Ronan High School for 20 years in Freshman volleyball and tennis, touching many lives in the process. Coaching was a blessing and created lifelong friendships. 

When the girls went to the University of Montana (GO GRIZ) they gifted us with football season tickets which we have kept to this day. We truly enjoyed the people we sat and cheered with. Going to GRIZ games was the highlight of our Fall. (How most of our close friends were Bobcats, we’ll never understand). While they were in college, getting to know their friends and hosting dinners for those who couldn’t go home for holidays was a special treat for us. 

In her later years, Gordie took care of his aunt and then his mother. Many of you know of her struggles and that he spent two years staying with her at night and providing care. Because she wanted to stay in her home, he went to extreme measures to make sure her wish came true. It was during this time that our friendships grew with the local Mennonite community. Your support, whether singing to mom or praying or listening to us vent our frustrations, was appreciated more than you know. Spending time at Dobson Creek Coffee was always a respite. You wrapped your arms around us and helped us be strong.

To our Montana family, thank you for embracing us. Whether branding, or talking necropsies over dinner, working cows, marrying your children, Gordon loved you all. 

If you knew my Gordie, you knew that his love language was giving. Whether buying coffee and donuts for coworkers, candy for children or miscellaneous gifts to friends and family. He loved taking care of others and hated asking for help. He spent a lot of time thinking about what the ideal gift would be and enjoyed shopping, even grocery shopping. He was also my cook for the last several years. We were a team and did everything together. It is difficult now, but I am so grateful for all of the time we shared. The memories of the hours we spent making flower beds and planting flowers, the years we spent trying to find just the right color for the house, our trips to Kalispell or Missoula, just spending time together doing nothing will need to sustain me. Not many can live, work and play together and stay happily married for 44 years. I was blessed. 

Gordon passed away on October 26, 2024, with his family and friends by his side. He is survived by his wife, his daughters, nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces, adopted sons, daughters, grandchildren and his beloved dog, grand dogs and grand kitty.

The memorial service will be Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 5 pm at the Ronan Boys and Girls Club. Meal to follow.