Lawrence W. "Scotty" Cummins

Lawrence W “Scotty” Cummins died peacefully at home on Dec. 28, 2013 at the age of 98. Born Aug. 25, 1915, in Touchet, to Verna and Walter Cummins, he graduated from Touchet High School in 1933. Scotty attended Whitman College where he played sports under Coach Nig Borleske; he was named First Team All-Northwest Conference in both football and baseball all four years of college. In 1937, he was selected to join the small college All-American Football Team and was offered a contract with New York Giants football team. He was also offered a contract in baseball with the then, New York Giants. The offers did not pay very well, so he chose a career in coaching and education.

He belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the name Scotty Cummins became synonymous with Whitman College. He graduated in 1938. He later served on the Board of Overseers of Whitman College. In 2008, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Whitman College, and the newly constructed baseball locker room was dedicated in his name.

He married Margaret “Peggy” McClure in 1938, and coached and taught at La Center and Stevenson High Schools until he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1943. Following his naval service, he returned to Walla Walla in 1947 to establish Scotty Cummins Athletic Supply, selling athletic equipment and supplies to high schools, colleges and individual athletes throughout the Northwest. Peggy was his partner in business until he retired in 1970, at age 55. The business still bears his name. He was active in his profession on both a regional and national level, being elected president of the National Sporting Goods Association in 1969. He was president of the Sports Foundation, which annually honored firms for their contribution to youth activities, and was also a member of the board of directors of the Sporting Goods Hall of Fame, which honored manufacturers.

Scotty was also a very active member of the community. Promoting youth activities was a high priority in his life. He served as president of the Walla Walla Booster Club, and was on the board of directors for both Borleske Stadium and Borleske Parks and recreation. With Gerwyn Jones, Scotty also organized Little League Youth baseball in Walla Walla.

Scotty was a member of the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, and received the Man of the Year Award of Merit in 1984. He was a member of the Noon Rotary Club, serving as president in 1977 and named Rotarian of Merit in 1985; he was a Paul Harris Fellow, and served as chairman of the scholarship committee. He was board member and leadership chairman for United Way, president of the Downtown Development Association, and served on the Sherwood Trust board of directors.

He served on the Southeastern Washington Frontier Days Board, and was president in 1987. He was named parade marshal in 1994. He was on the YMCA Board for more than 20 years, and was co-chairman of the Big Gifts division of the drive to build the present facility. Scotty served on the board of Frontier Federal Savings and Loan, was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and life member of the BPOE and Walla Walla Country Club.

After retiring, he and Peggy enjoyed traveling until her death in 1990. He married Maxine Huffman in 1992. They loved cruises and traveled extensively. London was his favorite city and they visited many times. He loved all parts of Hawaii, particularly Maui, where they spent many winters. He looked forward to spring training each year.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Peggy; and son, John. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Maxine; grandsons, Sloan, Eric, and Todd (Sandy); granddaughter, Kelly Chvatal (Ed); step-daughters, Kathy Supko (Ron) and Lisa Chinn (John); 11 well-loved great-grandchildren; four step grandsons; six step-great-grandchildren; and extended family Gale and Fred Kimball. He leaves a legacy of great love and commitment to his family and to the community of Walla Walla.

Private family burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. A celebration of life will be held at the Marcus Whitman from 4-6 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA, Fort Walla Walla Museum, Hospice, or the charity of the donors’ choice through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Poplar, Walla Walla, WA 99362.