Col. Gregory Wayne Cummins, U.S. Air Force (Retired)

Col. Gregory Wayne Cummins, 72, passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC.

Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Greg grew up in Sharpsburg, and graduated from Boonsboro High School, where he was a standout football player and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He entered the United States Air Force Academy in 1969 as an original member of the newly created Cadet Squadron 37 (known unofficially as the "Smilers"). After spending all four years in CS-37 he graduated in 1973 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Greg was stationed around the world, serving from Germany to Korea, and across the United States. He was serving in the Washington DC area in 2001 and was in the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks. His last duty assignment was leading an Air Force contingent on a U.S. Navy ship in the Indian Ocean.

He retired in 2003 and moved to Lexington, South Carolina, where he stayed active with part-time work, playing golf, and following the South Carolina Gamecocks womens basketball team. He volunteered at Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, where he also sang with the choir. In 2022, he relocated to the mountains of western North Carolina, and continued his volunteer work with the American Red Cross and at First United Methodist Church of Marion. He was always willing to help those in need and the irony is, although his heart was not in good shape, it was “big.” True to the Cummins family, he never met a stranger.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Max Cummins and Cora Louise Kendal; and siblings, Max Cummins and Barbara Holder.

Surviving are his wife of 21 years, Ruth Thiedke Cummins; son, Ryan Cummins and wife Katie; daughter, Nicole Cummins and her fiance Jeremy Thames and soon-to-be step-daughter Kinslee Kate Thames; sister-in-law, Nancy Cummins; brother-in-law, John Holder; nieces: Susan Cornelius (Randy), Stacie Mullenix (Dan), Melissa Holder; and nephew, Jeremy Holder (Stephanie); numerous great nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by three step-children: Mallory, Meredith, and Alex Porter; his beloved collies: Joey, Tess, and Bruno; and barely tolerated cats: Charlie, Dora, and Pippa.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Community Church, 300 S. Artizan Street, Williamsport, Maryland at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 3, 2023 with visitation from 2-3:00.

A second memorial service will be held at Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at 2:00 pm.

He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Donations may be made in his memory to St. Judes Childrens Hospital, or a church or charity of your choice.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center is Honored to serve the Cummins Family.