Craig Alan Cummings, 53

Craig Alan Cummings passed away Aug. 13, 2011, at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital as a result of a cardiac event. 

Craig was currently the principal of Heck-Quaw Elementary School in Belgrade. His career in education spanned 29 years and several Montana communities, including Belgrade, Belt, Red Lodge, Circle, Forsyth and Belfry.  His leadership and uncompromising commitment to excellence as a principal, teacher and coach touched and enriched the lives of many throughout the years. He always found great pride in the accomplishments of his students.

Craig married the love of his life, Teri Phippen of Cut Bank, in 1987, and their relationship and love for each other continued to grow and deepen throughout their years together. They have three children, Tannar (21), Taylor (19), and Tristan (14). Time spent with his children was Craig's greatest source of joy and from which he extracted his greatest sense of pride.

Craig was passionate about sports and spent many years coaching baseball, basketball and football. He enjoyed running, weight lifting, golfing, skiing, tending his lawn, reading, and the Red Sox. He also greatly valued his friendships, both lifelong and more recently developed.

Craig was born to Everett and Sandra Cummings in Great Falls on Oct. 25, 1957. He was the oldest of four children. He spent his early childhood in Hobson and Bozeman and graduated from high school in Cut Bank.

Craig attended Montana State University, obtaining degrees in both elementary and secondary education. He later obtained his master’s in educational leadership and administration from the University of Montana.  He was a devoted educator, a great father, loving husband and treasured son, brother and friend. Gone much too early, he will be missed by all.

Craig is survived by his wife Teri, daughter Taylor, and sons Tannar and Tristan Cummings, all of Belt; his mother, Sandra Cummings, of Bozeman; sisters, Lynnette and Rodell Stern of Helena, and Stacey and Rob Mihalovich of Roundup; brother, Kevin, and Guin Cummings, of Dallas; mother and father in-law, Dwayne and Marty Phippen, of Cut Bank; sisters in-law, Trudy Phippen of Helena, and Molly and Mitch O’Brien of Kalispell, brother in-law, Mark, and Lee Gilham, of Columbia Falls; nieces, McKenzie (Stern) O’Brien, Katherine Cummings, Jshanie and Courtney Gilham, Catherine and Abigail O’Brien, and Bailey Mihalovich; nephews, Lacen “Tim” Stern, and Scott Cummings; and great-nephew, Ryland O’Brien. 

Craig was preceded in death by his father, Everett Cummings; and grandparents, Newton and Etta Cummings, and Raymond and Hazel Swanz.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, in the Belt High School gymnasium. The following day, Aug. 19, at 4 p.m., a tribute will be held at the Belgrade High School auditorium.

Per family wishes, donations may be sent to the Craig Cummings Leadership Scholarship Fund at the Belt Valley Bank.

  Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service, www.dokkennelson.com.