Donald Jean Cumpston

Donald J. Cumpston of Yutan, Nebraska passed away November 30, 2009, after fighting a long, courageous battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Don leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Barbara; three daughters and their families, Paula and Cassin Lofgreen of Steilacoom, WA; Carla and Bob Snyder of Yutan, NE; and Sheila Cumpston and Mila Bird of San Jose, CA; two grandsons, Terrance Lofgreen and Caleb Snyder; two granddaughters, Tyler & Tracia (Lofgreen) Clark and Hannah Snyder; one great-granddaughter, Amy-Lynn Clark; brothers Leonard & Phyllis Cumpston of Pittman, NJ and Harold Cumpston of Carroll, IA; sister-in-laws Virginia Cumpston of Lexington, NE and Janice Cumpston of Grand Island, NE; and brother-in-laws Richard & Doris Walker of Golden, CO and Luther Miller of Cozad, NE; as well as numerous well-loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frances and James; and sisters, Virginia Keiser, Naomi Prato, Wanda Miller, and LaVonne Cumpston. Don was born August 2, 1932 in Gothenburg, NE to Frank and Catherine (McNeil) Cumpston; the seventh of nine children. Don’s growing up years were spent working a variety of odd jobs to help with the family finances; playing baseball, basketball, and football during his spare time; and singing in any school choral group that was available. His lifelong love of the Los Angeles Dodgers began when he was in grade school and they were still the Brooklyn Dodgers. Don graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and married Barbara Jean Walker of Palisade, NE on June 6, 1954. After his military discharge in 1956 Don enrolled in Kearney State Teachers College. He graduated in 1959 with a B.A. in Industrial Arts, a minor in Physical Education, a Coaching Endorsement, and two daughters that were born to him and Barb during the college years. Don spent the next 36 years teaching school and coaching a variety of high school sports. His first teaching job was in the Beaver Valley School District. The family spent 3 years there during which time a third daughter was born. Atwood, KS was Don’s next stop. The family lived there for 7 years and it should be mentioned that he never waivered in his love for Nebraska Cornhusker Football during this sojourn in Kansas! One year was spent teaching and coaching in the Eddyville-Sumner Nebraska School District before the family relocated to Arapahoe, NE. Don spent 7 years teaching and coaching in Arapahoe. Don’s final employer was the Weeping Water School District where he taught for 18 years and was the athletic director for 10 years. During those years he served as a volunteer for UNL Indoor Track Meets and for the Nebraska State Boy’s High School Track Meet. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the Masons. Don retired from the Weeping Water school system in 1994. He enjoyed hearing from students and athletes from all the schools where he had worked over the years. He never failed to answer to the name, “Coach”. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and the Nebraska Coaches Association. Don spent over 25 years working summers as a seasonal Park Ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake, CO. He, Barb, and the “girls” enjoyed their Colorado summers. Not only did the family make friends with people from all over the country but while there enjoyed visits from friends from a variety of places since Grand Lake was such a great vacation spot. In 2004, he and Barb moved to Yutan, NE because of his failing health. He continued to follow the many sports he enjoyed. He became a member of the United Church of Christ and Yutan Legion Post 262. Everyone that knew Don was familiar with how wherever you went with him he’d run into someone he knew; also, his great sense of humor and many signature witticisms. Anyone that had spent anytime with him at all had heard some of his famous statements such as, “Wish in one hand and spit in the other; and see which one fills up first” or “I do more work on accident than you do on purpose”. The phrases were sure to make the listener do a double-take or crack a smile. Of all of his life’s accomplishments, he was most proud of his daughters and grandchildren. A special thank you to his friends, coworkers, and acquaintances that humored him by listening to his many stories and brags about his “girls” and grandchildren. He couldn’t help himself! He was an outstanding, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and will be greatly missed by us all; and by all of you who called him friend.

Donald Jean Cumpston

August 2, 1932 - November 30, 2009