"C" Cummins, Jr.

“C” Elmo Cummins, Jr. passed away November 24, 2021. Services will be Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home Chapel in Rotan.

“C” Elmo Cummins, Jr. was born on May 17, 1929, on Nopal Street in Uvalde, Texas to Grace Taylor Cummins and “Columbus” Elmo Cummins, Sr.

Elmo Cummins departed this life at 92 years old to be with his Lord Jesus Christ, After, graduating from Uvalde High School, Coach Wilfred Moore recruited Elmo to play football for McMurry University. Cummins and Moore maintained a lifelong friendship and Elmo described it as the most fantastic life he could imagine. It was during football he met Joe Dale Burk, his future brother-in-law. Elmo went home to Rotan, Texas, with Joe Burk for a visit and met Kitty Burk and never had eyes for another. Every day of his life someone would hear him say he had a happy life with a happy wife.

Cummins was a Little All American at McMurry and upon graduation was offered spots on six professional football teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears. Instead of going pro, he waited a semester for Kitty Burk to graduate from McMurry, Later, that day they married in Rotan, Texas. The very first event to be held at Weathersbee Chapel was their wedding on the 23rd day of May, as first Baptist Church was being redone.

While waiting for Kitty’s graduation, Elmo was hired by Ft. Stockton to handle a “Senior Class” that held their history teacher (from up North) upside down out a second story window....reportedly with his pants down. As a 6’4” red headed award-winning tackle, Mr. Cummins had no problem keeping a bunch of fun loving “pranksters” in hand. Claytie Williams never forgot him, nor the big senior ring with which Mr. Cummins would thump them on the head.

Shortly after, Elmo Cummins joined the US Navy, where his commission was to coach the Navy team. In 1953, Chris Cummins was born in Rotan, Texas, while Elmo was at OCS. One year, one month and two days later at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Chicago, Illinois, Beth was born on base.

As commander, Elmo’s job involved escorting dignitaries and guests on base such as Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire and The Harlem Globe Trotters. His proud moments include coaching the Navy vs Army in the Salad Bowl in Tempe, Arizona, the precursor to the Fiesta Bowl. His line coach was Lindy Berry, future star of TCU. He served and received his only wartime injury on the USS Siboney when a gun was accidentally discharged, and the bullet grazed his face.

Mr. Cummins coached in Rotan and became great friends with Sammy Baugh. Later, in Garland, Texas, he coached with Homer Johnson and Tommy Ellis and after receiving his master’s degree Elmo moved into administration in Belton, Texas and then ended his career as Business Administrator in Waco, Texas. Kitty was a teacher and worked alongside Elmo. She loved being an officer’s wife as well as a coach’s wife. In 2007, Mc Murry chose these two as couple of the year.

Kitty and Elmo made lifelong friends wherever they went. They also kept close family ties with the Burk and the Vicks, the Cristiani’s and the Mayne’s. Thanksgivings and Christmases were always huge, loving events. Their Christian beliefs kept their homelives close to the Baptist Churches where they lived.

Upon retirement, Kitty and Elmo moved to Midland, Texas, where they enjoyed traveling the USA with Adell Vosatko and doing estate jewelry shows. They also enjoyed years of Lee Rebel football and volleyball games.

C Elmo Cummins is proceeded in death by his wife, “Kitty” Norma Joyce Burk Cummins, his son Christopher Elmo Cummins, his parents and sister, JoNell Cristiani. Son-in-law, Gordon L. Warren and aunts Adele Vosatko and Annette Mayne.

Elmo Cummins is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Elizabeth “Beth” Warren of Midland, Texas.

Other survivors: Daughter-in-law Cindy Cummins-of College Station, Texas, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jeremy J. Warren (Kendall), Hagan, Griffin, Fitz and Ellie of Midland, Texas; Carrie Scott (Jeremy) Connor, Canon, Ryder if College Station, Texas; Joel R. Warren, Jaiden, Chris and Madisyn of Austin, Texas; Jennifer Kuhn, Elizabeth, Christopher, Zachary and Asher of Dallas, Texas; Christopher Cummins and wife Karly of Rock Port, Texas; Natalie Greer (Chris) Brody and Beckett of Prosper, Texas; Andrea Coleman (Randy) and Jax of  G. Chandler Warren (Lauren), Davis and William of Ft. Worth, Texas;  Amy Catherine Warren Jennings, Warren and Shiloh of Sonora, Texas.

Nieces and nephews, include Dr. Vick Burk and Dan (Dana), David Cristiani (Carleen), Paul Cristiani (Dana), Carole Cristiani and John Cristiani.

Our gratitude to Midland Memorial Hospital, Brookdale of Midland, Weathersbee Funeral Home for “bringing Elmo home”, and love and thanks to Bryan L. Vinson, Janee McAnally, Jimaileen Jenson, and Regina Kuethe for their unending love and friendship during this time.