Gerald Leonard Cummings, Lt. Col. (Ret.), (Jerry), 81, of Roanoke, died Friday, August 1, 1997, at his home. He was born in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. on August 19, 1915, and moved to the Roanoke area in 1938, and married Virginia Jeanette Spickard in 1943. Mr. Cummings joined the United States Army in 1942, serving in the Counter Intelligence Service, and was discharged in 1975 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was president and owner of Hunter and Cummings Coal Company, was an owner of many Planter's Peanut Stores, including stores in Roanoke, Atlantic City, N.J., and Atlanta, Ga., was a distributor of Sinclair Petroleum Products. Jerry was a financier and was involved in real estate, was a member and past president of the Retired Army Officer's Association, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was president of the Virginia-Carolina Coal Association and organ ized and was the first chairman of the Roanoke Catholic School Board. Mr. Cummings was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia S. Cummings in April 1966, and is survived by his children, Eric L. Cummings and wife, Nancy, and their children, Kevin, Ashley, and Whitney, Washington, D.C., Cathy E. Cummings, Roanoke, Mark D. Cummings and wife, Melanie, Arlington, Dr. David Cummings and wife, Olivia, and their daughter, Shannon, Salem, Lisa C. Chittum and husband, Douglas, Roanoke. Jerry will be remembered as a compassionate man and loving father and grandfather who enjoyed fishing and coon hunting. A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church Monday, August 4, at 5 p.m., with the Rev. Joseph Lehman and the Rev. Rolo Castillo officiating. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery with a graveside service Wednesday, August 6, at 3 p.m. with full military honors. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the Roanoke Catholic School Building Fund, 621 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke, Va. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel after 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Roanoke Times, VA, Aug. 2, 1997