Anchorage resident David Bryant Cummings, 62, died suddenly Jan. 3, 2009, at his mother's home in Castlewood, S.D., while on a pheasant hunting trip and visiting family. David Bryant Cummings was born October 4, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to Myrle (LaDue) and Leslie M Cummings. He was baptized at First Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota where he lived for nine years. David grew up in Castlewood, South Dakota and was confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church. He graduated from Castlewood High School in 1965. He was active in sports activities his entire high school career which included baseball, track & field, basketball and All-State Center in football. He attended Dakota Wesleyan for one year and graduated from Lake Area Vocational Technical School with an Associates Degree in tool and die. He enlisted in the United States Army from 1969-1978. After military machinist school in Aberdeen, Maryland he was stationed in West Germany, Colorado, Kansas (Fort Leavenworth), Alaska (Fort Richardson) and volunteered for a tour of duty in Viet Nam. His military honors and awards include the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, the Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement (Senior Machinist), and an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army in 1978.

In Alaska he met and later married Lorayne Embretson in Colorado Springs, Colorado on December 17, 1977. They lived in Iowa for one year and returned to Anchorage, Alaska in 1979 and have resided there since. David graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, with an A.A.S. Degree in Welding Technology with an emphasis Metallurgy and Industrial Radiography. He worked in the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska reading x-ray welds from the Alaska Pipeline and retired in 1999. David was a member of Central Lutheran Church in Anchorage, Alaska.

In Alaska he enjoyed camping with his family, halibut and salt-water fishing, lake and ice fishing, moose hunting, and snow machining. In later years his hobbies included woodcarving, riding and working on Jeeps and mountain bikes. He enjoyed hunting pheasants and fishing in South Dakota with family and friends. He adored his daughters Ashley and Sara, and enthusiastically attended their many school and extracurricular activities. David was voted Bartlett High Schools ladies volleyball Number 1 Fan in 2005, where his daughter Ashley played volleyball for four years. He enjoyed listening to music with daughter Sara in his Jeep Wrangler, while driving her to school and activities. His favorite listening music was Pink Floyd while Sara enjoys MCR. Dave loved to drive and work on his Jeep, spend time with family, friends, and the family pets, Wiley and Kassy. He enjoyed taking friends and family camping and fishing in his boat for halibut and salmon. Daves gift of humor made him many friends and was only matched by his hunting and fishing ability. He will be sadly missed by many.

Survivors include his wife Lorayne Embretson, two daughters Ashley and Sara Cummings, all of Anchorage, Alaska; his Mother, Myrle Cummings, Castlewood, SD; two brothers Gary Cummings (Linda) of Beresford, South Dakota; Ron Cummings (Theresa) of Billings, Montana; and one sister Lesa Dahl (Jeff) all of Castlewood, South Dakota. He is survived by nieces and nephews Andy Cummings, Molly Cummings, Jacob and Jarred Dahl and a host of friends and relatives in Alaska, South Dakota and Iowa including Loraynes family Lee and Paula Embretson and family, Craig Embretson of Farmersburg, Iowa and Susan Embretson of Anchorage. David was preceded in death by his Father, Leslie Cummings (2005), and niece Angela Cummings Daniel (2005). Burial was at Castlewood Cemetery with military rites by the Castlewood American Legion on Jan 8, 2009. Pallbearers were Lee and Craig Embretson of Farmersburg, Iowa; Tim Embretson, Minneapolis; Randy Wolter, Clarence Fjeldheim, Chris Schafer and Lee Michael all from South Dakota. A memorial service was held Jan. 15, 2009 at Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage, Alaska.