Roy Cummings

Roy Cummings, age 96, passed peacefully away on January 20, 2025, in Sunnyside, Washington. He was born June 11, 1928, in the Bijou Hills area of South Dakota to Bert and Anna Cummings. Roy was the fifth of six children. Roy farmed in South Dakota with his father until he was 27. He met his wife, Joyce in 1954 in Chamberlain, South Dakota. It took only three months to fall in love, agree to marry and leave South Dakota. Roy and Joyce, like numerous other family members before them sought opportunities in or near Seattle, Washington. This is where two of three sons were born, David in 1956 and Dana in 1957. Roy worked with his brother-in-law in an automobile front end shop. Joyce worked at Swedish Hospital. City life did not suit them, so the decision was made to buy a farm in Outlook, Washington in 1959. Their third son, Mark, was born a year later. All his sons dearly loved him and were a big part of his life. Roy said if you do what you love, then you will never work a day of your life. He was a hard worker, and he loved farming. In the sixties he grew sugar beets and mint along with grain crops. The cash crops powered his operation and he tripled his acreage during that decade. He was involved in all things agricultural and was proud of his time on the board of directors for the Outlook Irrigation District. He loved and admired all his neighbors. Roy told many people that he had an adventurous life. He raced cars and motorcycles in his 20s and 30s. He enjoyed a little hunting in his youth and a little fishing in his 40s. Retirement provided time for motorcycle trips with his wife. These trips were mostly within Washington, but some stretched all the way to South Dakota. He owned at different times three different top of the line Honda Gold Wing motorcycles. He was a member of two different motorcycle clubs and did not stop riding until he was 82. He also indulged in one sports car, a 50th anniversary Ford Thunderbird. He was very proud of that car and it was awarded a trophy several years ago at the Dayton Car Show. He was very thankful for the great life that God, family, friends and neighbors gave him. His surviving family members are his oldest son David, middle son Dana along with his wife Julie and three adult children Brian, Tanner and Jenna, and his youngest son Mark and his wife Josie, daughter Marlys Hinckley, along with numerous nieces and nephews Denise Agee Christianson, Sue Wickham, Jerry Briggs, Kathy Hunsley, Patty Thomas, Mike Briggs, Lori Kehr, Dennis Winchell, Mona Clemenson, Janet Gates, Paulie Schultz, Larry Winchell, and Della Heatherington. The immediate family members who have passed are his parents, Bert and Anna Cummings, brothers Dean Cummings, Kenneth Cummings and Virgil Cummings, sisters Shirley Brenda and Garneta Novak. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Zillah Faith Community Church located on 300 W. Centennial Dr., Zillah, Washington. The church will open for a viewing between 10:00 and 11:00 Saturday morning. The memorial service will start 11:30 followed by a graveside service at the Zillah cemertary. Attendees are encouraged to come back to the Zillah Faith Community Church for a nice lunch and time to share memories of Roy Cummings. All funeral arrangements are being coordinated through Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah, Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roy Cummings, please visit our flower store.