Dr. James Cumming

Dr. James Francis Cumming, age 92, of Hudson, WI, passed away on January 28, 2016, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, after a brief illness.

James was born on July 12, 1923, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Leslie and Frances (Clark) Cumming. James attended Buena Vista Elementary School, Nutana Collegiate, University of Saskatchewan. He received his medical doctorate from the University of Toronto and then worked as a Family Doctor and Anesthesiologist at Saskatoon City Hospital. After moving to Wisconsin in 1962, he completed a PhD in pharmacology, taking a position as Anesthesiologist and Pharmacology professor at the University of Minnesota until his retirement in the mid-1990’s.

James was united in marriage in Saskatoon on June 23, 1948, to the love of his life, Dorothy Wilma Tollerud. Their marriage was blessed with six children, Catherine, David, Leslie, Brian, Robert, Dorothy; and one AFS student daughter, Susan.

James, a true scholar and philanthropist, enjoyed world travel, politics and science. He was a pianist and early-music performer, enjoying music his entire life. James loved the outdoors, was fond of gardening and camping, and appreciated all that nature had to offer. He proudly served as a medical advisor to the Boy Scouts of America program. Most important to James was his love for his wife, children and family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Tollerud) Cumming of Hudson; children, Catherine (Robert) Adams, David (Carol) Cumming, Leslie Cumming, Brian Cumming, Robert Cumming, Dorothy Yamamoto, and Susan Ignacio (Yoshio) Maruyama; 14 grandchildren; sister-in-law Eva Cumming; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only brother, George Leslie Cumming.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place 5:00 – 8:00 PM Friday, February 12, 2016, at O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St. in Hudson, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 13th, at First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Vine St.in Hudson. Interment will take place at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. James’ grandchildren will serve as honorary urn bearers.