David Cummins

David Gray Cummins, 82, of Cookeville, TN passed away on October 7, 2018. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 10th, at 11:00 AM at Hooper, Huddleston, and Horner Funeral Home in Cookeville. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery on Cummins Mill Rd. Kelly Campbell and Joe Roberts will officiate. The family will receive friends and family at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 9th, from 5:00-7:00 PM, and from 10:00-11:00 AM on Wednesday prior to the services. David was born to his parents Henry and Della Lemons Cummins on Monday, June 29, 1936. He was a caring and loving person who was always concerned for others before himself. He served as an Elder in his church for many years in both Griffin, GA and Cookeville, TN. He gave his heart to others needs. David was married to Joan Johnson Cummins for 59 years, whom he met at the University of Tennessee. He is also survived by three children and their spouses. Karen Cummins Thompson (Lyle), Steve Cummins (Debbie), and Scott Cummins (Shawn). He was also a grandfather of six. Lauren Thompson, Darrell Thompson, Hunter Cummins, Emily Cummins, Kalen Fleming, and Ethan Cummins. David was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Della Cummins and his brother James Henry Cummins. David graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a B.S. in Agriculture, the University of Tennessee with a M.S. in Agriculture, and the University of Georgia with a Ph.D. in Agronomy concentrating in soil chemistry and radiation, and how these affected plant growth and productivity. Appointed as a research scientist at the University of Georgia Experiment Station at Griffin, GA, he worked as an agronomist improving the quality of fodders for livestock. His first scientific papers were published in 1961, and over the rest of his life, David continued to be involved in publishing, both as an author and editor of reports, books, and scientific papers. He was a prolific scientist, contributing approximately 300 papers to the scientific community. In 1980, David lead a planning mission for the University of Georgia that resulted in the Peanut Collaborative Research Support Program. He became the Director of this program for 17 years until his retirement, closing out a career of over 30 years with the University of Georgia and the Georgia Experiment Station. This program was his crowning achievement, and he continued to assisting as an editor of the program's reports for an additional 18 years. David's last work, published in 2016, was a history of the program and its achievements. During his time as Director, David was also attached to USAID in the Philippines, where for two years he assisted in the development of national programs, strengthening the universities and research systems there. He was also employed by USAID as a consultant to evaluate programs within the International Agricultural Research System. David was highly respected as a scientist dedicated to the development of people, the benefits of science, and the role that consistent support of the Peanut CRSP could provide. He established and sustained programs in the Philippines, Thailand, Malawi, Burkina Faso, the Caribbean, Nigeria, India, and Belize. David will be missed by those in the scientific community. Above all else, he will be missed by family, and those that knew him as a person dedicated to God, family, and anyone he met. Hooper-Huddleston and Horner in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.