Thomas Edwin Cummings

Thomas "Tom" E. Cummings, 98, died on May 7, 2026, at Methodist West Hospital in West Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Tom has been cremated and burial will take place immediately following the service at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Tom was born February 25, 1928 in State Center, IA, the son of Thomas A. and Stella (Fish) Cummings. He grew up on a farm near Colo, IA, but lived most of his life in Ames, retiring from the Iowa Department of Transportation after 40 years. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. His final years were spent at The Arbordale in Urbandale where he was an active and well-liked resident.

He married Bette Craig in 1951 and they enjoyed traveling the United States and visited all states except Alaska and Hawaii. They liked to stop at all casinos along the way! His interests throughout his life included golf, playing cards, travel and walking.

He is survived by his son, Craig; and daughter, Lynn (Jerry) Chapman, all of West Des Moines and two grandsons, Brian Chapman (Heidi Docktor) and Aaron Chapman (Brooke Austin), all of Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, daughter Julie Thomas and his wife of 57 years.