Paul Cummins

Paul Cummins, 86,  of Corbin, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 after a long, well fought battle with Leukemia.

Paul was born in Corbin to Fred and Fannie Cummins.

He attended Woodbine High School.

He served 3 years in the U.S. Navy before leaving the service to marry Jean Hodge in December, 1950 in Indiana.

He worked at Delco, a division of General Motors, for 6 years in Dayton, Ohio; the L&N Railroad in Corbin for 2 years; then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the 714th Rail Detachment for over 21 years.  During this time in the U.S. Army, he served in Korea and Germany. He also served as conductor of the train for the POTUS for 7 years while stationed at Fort Eustis, VA.

In 1979, as a 1st Sergeant, he retired to his hometown of Corbin where he became involved in a variety of different activities including farming, antiques, quail hunting, training bird dogs, and local politics.  He founded the Tri-County Quail Club in 1979. Paul also had a passion for wanting to improve living conditions and education for all people in Whitley County. In his quest to fight political corruption county-wide, he served as an elected member (and Chairman) of the Whitley County Board of Education in the 1980’s. He became an active member of Greenland Baptist Church.  Paul would never hesitate to help and/or advise family and friends.  Upon his departing, he and Jean remained married for a little over 66 years.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Fannie Cummins, and by his daughter Paula Bass.

Paul is survived by his wife Jean; two sons, Darrel Cummins and wife Brenda and David Cummins and wife Jessica; two sisters Arneeda Humphress and June Hopkins; six grandsons: Justin Bass, Nicolas Coleman, Jacob Bass, Ethan Cummins, Nathan Cummins, and Lucas Cummins; as well as several nieces and nephews and their families.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 20, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Whorton, formerly of Greenland Baptist Church, officiating.

Burial was at Cox Cemetery in Gray with grandsons and nephews serving as pallbearers. Military graveside honors were also conducted.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to MDS Foundation.

Messages may be written to the family at www.vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com.

Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home of Corbin is in charge of the arrangements.