John Cummings Obituary

JD, your wisdom and generosity of spirit still guide me today. You were the quintessential gentleman and scholar! I just wish you'd been around a few more decades.

Happy Birthday pop. Your Grandson is doing great. We miss you.

The memories remain. Every year I toast JD with the same vodka tonic we sipped every week before photography class. Miss you my friend.

Fourteen years have passed. I still hear your laugh and I still let your voice guide me. Thanks for making me the man I am. I love you Dad.

A little over 7 years has gone by since I lost the single greatest man I have ever known. I knew him better than most I dare say. I knew him to be a generous kind and always compassionate man to both his fellow man as well as Mother Earth to use his words. He would always encourage me to look at things from the other perspective and to never rush to an important decision. I do not know what brought me here on this night to revisit all of the kind words and love shown here for J.D. as most of you knew him , other than perhaps it is actually his way of saying thanks and Hello. He did always like Halloween :-). All of your words have brought me to tears as I post this updated message. Some of you I recall more clearly than others for some of you I met while still quite young. John C. , Julie. ,Liz , Carrie , you all hold a special place in my heart. Some from years gone by knew him as Dan. In the latter years you knew him as JD.
I knew him as Dad and I ache without him

Miss you Pop. (He would always say not to call him that :-) )

I love you all
Will Amadon.

PS. I was married this year and we all felt your presense. I know it was his lens, but your eyes were looking through it.

Dan and I haven't seen each other in over fifteen years since he moved from Cape Cod to SC.
Years ago, he made a promise to me that he would keep in touch every Valentine's Day by phoning me from wherever he was in the world. He kept that promise...for twenty five years.
I will miss his smiling voice over the phone lines and keep all my memories of him close to my heart. He is probably sailing his beloved boat "Sundance" on Heaven's waters.

JD was a wonderful photographer and teacher but above all else he was a wonderful, kind and generous man. He was a definite inspiration to me for photography and for the way he viewed life. He will be missed but not ever forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I first came to know this gentle soul 12 years ago when he shot my wedding. I treasure his sage words, poetic letters, his great humor, the meals we shared, the encouragement he gave and the example he set as a human being. He knew he death was not the end. During our last visit in September, JD shared the secret to life with me: "All you have to do on this earth is be yourself. It's good enough" he told me. That day I was able to share with him the news of a surprise third child and I humbly share that JD was pleased when I told him I would like to name the baby Cummings---give the child something wonderful to aspire to. I know JD always believed in angels and now I believe he is one. My prayers go out to his whole family and to his son whom he could not stop smiling about.

J.D. was a kind and gentle man and a gifted and generous teacher. He brought meticulous care and joy to his craft and his ready smile could light up a darkroom. Once when I wanted to purchase one of his photographs he refused to let me pay for it. I reminded him that I had heard him tell his students a hundred times to never undervalue their work. He replied, "But you never heard me say not to share their work with friends and loved ones." He will be sorely missed by many.

Dan was one of my oldest & dearest friends. since he moved to s.c., our only contact has been phone calls & e-mails, but each encounter was like we had never parted. I will truely miss him

I never met JD, but know his work through his amazing sister, Judith. My deepest sympathies to you and the rest of your family. I love his oeuvre.

I first met JD while working with him at Worldwide Camera.He was a wonderful teacher who also had a beautiful way at looking at and interpreting the world around us. He was a dedicated father and loved Will very much. He was intelligent,kind, and had a great sense of humor. I will carry his smile and attitude with me forever.

JD was a fabulous teacher and all around incredible person. His photography was/is an inspiration. I'll always remember the fun conversations, drinks after being in the darkroom for hours, and the Charleston photo-shoots. JD will be missed but always remembered.

JD and I worked for Worlwide Camera several years ago. He was a gifted photographer who shared his contageous passion for the capturing the world around him frame by frame. In photography and in life he always had a unique "angle on things". He will be missed, and always remembered!

I only know his work, and his sister - both are inspiring treasures ... my love to all the family in this difficult time.

Simone Stock

I met JD at the Gibbes Museum Studio.
His arrival at the school brightened the day. He was great to talk to, both about the serious and the "fun.".
Above all he had reverence for his craft. His work was meticulous, and his teaching of amazing generosity. I am not a photographer but take pictures of my own work, as a potter. JD carefully taught me things like apertures and times, and what film to use...all with a glad openhandedness of the "this is so wonderful, I want to share it " kind. His studens were devoted to him. As was proved in the front office by near hysteria whenever
a new JD class was announced and anxious registrants clamored "me next, me next."

He was a lovely man, a fine craftsman, a good example. Condolences to us all.

JD was the most positive and encouraging friend/teacher I have ever encountered. He gave me the confidence in my work to ultimately become photography teacher. About the camera, he would say to never leave home without it and that motto ,I passed on to my students.
Above all, he loved his son and we had so many wonderful conversations talking about Will.
Godspeed, my friend.

I met JD at the Gibbes, when I took my first photography class. I did not get to really know him until a few years later when I met my wife. She and JD had worked at the camera store (after Worldwide, but before Ritz). He was her teacher, friend, and mentor. He became mine as well. I am lucky to have had him in my life. He was a great photographer and always inspired me. I will miss our conversations. May the good Lord bless and keep you JD...

Teacher, friend, philosopher, and mentor. I will miss him always

I worked with J.D. at Worldwide Camera and he was a pleasure to know and work with. It was a pleasure to call him a friend. He always had a good attitude and knew his craft. He was really proud of his son and told of many of the times they spent togather.

In the time that I knew JD, he gave me so many great memories and belly laughs! He was truly a blessing to all who knew him, as well as a gifted and talented man. Upon hearing of his departure for a better world, I immediately sat down with my photo album; his gift to me upon leaving Worldwide Camera, and relived all the goodtimes. He is still making me smile and laugh, which was his intention all along. God bless JD.

JD began as my teacher. Through the years I knew him he was my friend but always my teacher. He not only taught me to find the beauty of the world through the lens of my camera but also the beauty of life. He helped me be a more patient mother, wife and friend. We had the same sense of humor (sic) and laughed often. He was always there for me and there will forever be an empty place now where he should be. I hope all the things he has taught me I will be able to pass on so his spirit and joy of life will always be with us. Carrie

J.D. was the most kind, intelligent, funny, and positive person I've ever met. And he was an amazing photographer! I will miss him more than words can say.