Larry grew up on a farm south of Julesburg, attending country school through eighth grade before graduating from Julesburg High School in 1961. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Colorado State University. During his college years, he was active in 4-H, showed cattle at the National Western Stock Show, and competed in the university’s livestock judging team.
After graduation, Larry worked briefly in farm equipment financing before returning to Julesburg to join the First National Bank. On a business trip to the Ebke farm, he met his future wife, Mary Ebke. They married in June 1971 and moved to Burlington, Colorado, where Larry served as Vice President of the Bank of Burlington. While there, they welcomed two daughters, Lyndell and Crystal.
In 1975, Larry moved his family to Ogallala, Nebraska, where he established Cumming Realty, serving the region’s farmers and ranchers in farm and ranch real estate. His deep respect for the agricultural community later led him to a career as a crop adjuster with Federal Crop Insurance, a role he held from 1989 until his retirement in 2019.
Larry was devoted to his community. He served two terms on the Ogallala City Council, many years on the Hospital Authority Board, and was a proud member of Kiwanis for 25 years, participating in both the Big Mac Chapter and the Capital City Kiwanis in Lincoln. He and Mary raised their daughters in the church, first at St. Paul’s Lutheran and United Methodist in Ogallala.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Larry coached his daughters’ teams, enjoyed golf, and was a devoted Denver Broncos fan.
In 2016, Larry and Mary moved to Lincoln to be closer to their children and grandchildren, with whom Larry shared a special bond with each grandchild. They joined Southwood Lutheran when they moved to Lincoln where he served as an usher and was part of the Men’s Group.
Larry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary; daughters Lyndell White of Lincoln and Crystal (Erik) Wichita of Lincoln; Larry’s sister Linda (Bill) Smyth of Greeley, Colorado; brother Rick (Marcia) Cumming of Julesburg, Colorado; sisters-in-law Carolyn Wilke of Columbus, Nebraska, Murial (Marvin) Nelson of Julesburg, Colorado, Lore Ebke of Godfrey, Illinois; grandchildren Damon Wichita, Easton Wichita, and Nevie White; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Elsie Cumming; in-laws Lorenz and Irene Ebke; and brothers-in-law Robert Wilke and Harold Ebke.
Larry was a lifelong blood donor and, in recent years, became transfusion dependent. In his honor, the family requests that friends consider donating blood. Monetary contributions will be directed to the Nebraska Community Blood Bank.
Memorial Services will be Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Visitation will be Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Draucker Funeral Home, in Ogallala, Nebraska, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Hillside Cemetery, in Julesburg, Colorado, officiated by Rev. Curt Magelky.
Services will not be livestreamed.
Arrangements entrusted with Roper and Sons Funeral Home and Draucker Funeral Home.