Larry Eugene Cummings

Larry Eugene Cummings, 69, of Hot Springs passed away on March 6, 2012. He was born on December 3, 1942 in Blytheville, Arkansas to Clarence Albert and RoseLee Carter Cummings. Larry was a graduate of Arkansas State University and was a Registered Sanitarian. He worked as a district field inspector for the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology for 18 years. Thereafter, he started his own environmental consulting firm, Cummings Environmental Field Services. In his work, Larry was integral in restoring the water quality and beauty of Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. Larry overcame many adversities in his life and came out stronger following each one. In his younger years, Larry loved racing motorcycles. Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tending his herb and vegetable gardens. He had great love and respect for nature and its purity. Larry will be remembered as a quick-witted and generous man who had an excellent memory and always strived to make others feel comfortable. He was happiest when cooking for his family and close friends, particularly when he was cooking fish he had caught himself. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy Caristianos Cummings; two sons, Jason Carter Cummings and wife, Elizabeth of Benton and Ken Cummings of Denham Springs, Louisiana; one brother, Clarence Wayne Cummings of Blytheville; his father-in-law, George Caristianos of Hot Springs; one brother-in-law, Rollin Caristianos and wife, Mary of Hot Springs; three sisters-in-law, Carolyn Russell and husband, John, and Rebecca Kaczenski and husband, Greg, all of Little Rock, and Rosemary Scherer and husband Dave of Friendswood, Texas; cousin, Charlyn Viani of Galveston, Texas; nieces, nephews and other extended family. A celebration of Larry's life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church with the Reverend C.B. Baker officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Gross Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy of Arkansas, 601 N. University Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Guest register at www.grossfuneralhome.com.