Howard Winston Cummings

Howard Winston Cummings was born on October 22, 1925, in Stoner, Oklahoma, to Ralph H. and Gladys Hazel (Stephens) Cummings. He passed away on Friday, August 10, at his home at the age of 92.

Family visitation is scheduled for Monday, August 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Whitt Funeral Home.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, August 14, at 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Assembly of God, officiated by Pastor Terry Bradley and James Hatcher. Interment will follow at the Duncan Cemetery with full military honors being presented by the Stephens County Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.

Howard attended the Stoner School near Velma. He joined the U.S. Navy on March 4, 1943. While serving in the Navy, he completed his GED. He was discharged from the Navy as a Signalman Second Class on February 27, 1946. He married Dolores Helms on December 20, 1949, in Benton, Arkansas. She preceded him in death on December 6, 2008.

He worked his way up through the oil patch to become a drilling superintendent for Gulf Oil Company, retiring in 1998. He then continued on through the boom and bust with Cummings Consulting. He worked offshore Louisiana, Venezuela, Texas, Utah, New York, Pennsylvania and extensively in Oklahoma.

Fishing was his greatest pastime. He fished all over the world from South America to Alaska and many places in between. He took the grandkids on many trips over Uncle Billy's bridge and out to the farm to fish at the pond and feed the cows. He enjoyed farming and ranching with his son Mike near his old home place. He played golf every chance he could, entering many tournaments and even winning a few. His last game of golf was with his son and two grandsons when he was 88 years old. He enjoyed and shared his garden every year including this year. Last week he spent one of his last good days picking peppers and hoeing weeds. Howard cherished his church family at the Cornerstone Assembly of God Church.

Howard is survived by his children, Terry Cummings of Newcastle and Laura and husband Doug Madden of Blanchard; grandchildren, Robbie Payne-Hoffman of OKC, John Payne and partner Tony Carr of Washougal, Washington, Jennifer and husband Ricky Balentine of Duncan, Erica and husband Jay Storm of Blanchard, Crystal Gregg of Moore, Maeghan Madden of Blanchard, and George Madden of Fayetteville, Arkansas-WPS; great-grandchildren, Jordan and Sydney Hoffman, Cason Balentine, Chandler, Gracyn, and Blakely Storm, Morgan Gregg, and Cammron Ellis; great-great-grandchildren, Carter Hoffman, Brooklyn Hudson, Brennan Hoffman, Delilah Hoffman, and Benjamin Wise; and special friend, Doris Revell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores; parents; son, Michael Howard Cummings; granddaughter, Elecia Ellis, great-granddaughter, Cadence Balentine; brothers, Bill and Jack Cummings, and sister, Ruth Johnson.

Memorial donations may be made in Howard’s name to the Stephens County Honor Guard, PO Box 1811, Duncan, OK 73534.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.