Jeffrey Cummings

Jeffrey Byard Cummings, 79, of Wahpeton, ND, passed away peacefully Monday June 16, 2025, at St. Francis Nursing Home in Breckenridge, MN. 

Jeff was born December 11, 1945, in Fargo, ND to Byard and Margaret (Swanson) Cummings. He graduated from Enderlin High School in 1964 and enlisted in the Air Force serving as a Medic for 4 years. Jeff also served an additional 8 years in the Air Force Reserves, ND Air National Guard, and the ND Army National Guard. Jeff took advantage of the GI Bill and earned his private and commercial pilot licenses. 

Jeff went on to work in many interesting career fields: Lieutenant for Fargo Police Department (12 years), Claims Representative for Burlington Northern Railroad (4 years), with his wife Marsha they started Melissa Ann Charters, a sport fishing charter service on Lake Michigan (4 years), and a commercial truck driver (2 years). In 1995 Jeff moved to Wahpeton to work for Primewood. He them moved over to Three Rivers Transport as the Operations Manager. There, everyone knew Jeff's chocolate lab, Jessie, who came to work with him every day until he retired in 2011.

Jeff's most treasured hobbies were hunting and fishing. Many family outings were centered around fishing and camping trips throughout North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada. In retirement Jeff enjoyed cooking, grilling and baking, often perfecting his favorite recipes. 

Jeff is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill Cummings, and his son Christopher Byard Cummings. 

He is survived by his wife Marsha E (Roth) Cummings of Carrington, ND whose parents were grain farmers; his daughters Lisa (Mark) VanLeeuwem of Salt Lake City, UT and Melissa Cummings (Ron Horak) of Warrenton, VA; his grandchildren Alyssa, Harrison, Thomas, Richard, Mercedes, and Matthew; and 5 great-grandchildren. 

The family is immensely grateful to the nurses and, staff and doctors at St. Francis Hospital and Nursing Home and CHI Hospice Care. We cannot thank you enough for the care, comfort and compassion given to Jeff. We also thank Jeff and Marsha's neighbors, who have lent a helping hand and friendship throughout the years. 

The family will gather for a graveside service at the ND Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.