James H. Cumming

James H. Cumming, 88, of Plainview, passed away Friday, May 25, 2018 in Plainview, NE.  A funeral service is planned for Friday, June 1 ^st at 10:30 at the United Methodist Church in Plainview. Visitation is being held Thursday evening, May 31 from 7pm to 8:30pm and from 9-10:30am prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow the service at the Dane cemetery, southwest of Plainview.

Jim was born July 26, 1929 in Genoa, NE.  He was the son of Orville Cumming and Mary Kathryn (Clevenger) Cumming.  Jim graduated from Kramer High in Columbus in 1946 and briefly attended the University of Nebraska before starting the “Y-Knot Drive In” in Columbus which he owned and operated for over 50 years.  Jim was first married to the late Alyce (VanBerg) Cumming who was the mother of his four daughters.

Jim was a man who wore a variety of professional hats. He enjoyed being an auctioneer, which allowed him to expand his many eclectic collections, including walking canes, bells and lap robes.  He was a real estate broker and ran the Cumming Company Realty/Insurance and Mr. C’s autos.  Jim was always quick to strike up a conversation and no one remained a stranger for long.  He maintained a herd of registered Black Angus for over 60 years and always said that “there was nothing cuter than a newborn Angus calf”.

Jim is best known around Columbus as the man who fed three generations of customers at the Y-Knot.  His curly-Q fries, “Tastees” and smoked ribs along with homemade pies are still talked about, and a Y-Knot display is part of the Platte County Historical Society Museum.  Many Columbus residents still recall finding their first job at the Y-knot under Jim’s tutelage.

Jim never really retired, even after closing the Y-knot he kept his Angus herd going along with  driving his Belgian mare and carriage for wedding parties and local parades with the help of his wife Sandra.  He never tired of calving season or selling his Angus bulls and had a difficult time parting with the herd when it finally came time to disperse them at age 84.  Together with Sandra, they enjoyed travelling and making new friends all over the world on the many trips they took with the Angus Association. Many of these friends later came to visit them at their log home in Columbus.

Jim and Sandra moved to Plainview in 2014 to be closer to Sandra’s  four sons who all farm in Pierce and Antelope Counties. Jim was a member of the Methodist church in both Columbus and Plainview.  He also served on the school board at the old District #82. He was a member of the Platte Co. Ag. Society, where he also served a term as president.  He also enjoyed Square Dancing for many years which is where he met Sandra,  his wife of 31 years and the love of his life.

Jim is survived by his wife Sandra (Johnson) Cumming of Plainview. Daughters  “Cheyne” Cheri Cumming of Rapid City, SD, Jamie Al-Haj (Qusi) of Rapid City, SD and Alyssa V “Lisa” Cumming of Versailles, KY.  Stepsons: Randy (Dorothy), Ron (Lynn), Rick (Shelly) and Rob (Carla) Christiansen of Plainview. Grandchildren:22, 15 Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Kathryn Webb and his bother Wendell Cumming.

In addition to the funeral service in Plainview, a memorial is going to be held in Columbus later this summer. Date to be announced.

If friends so desire, memorials may be directed to the Plainview or Columbus United Methodist Church,  the Plainview Senior Center, the Plainview Manor, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Platte County Historical Society or a charity of your choosing.