A husband, a father, a son, a servant of the King, and called "Grandad" by the third generation, John was born on December 3, 1947, in Greencastle, Indiana, to Lt. Col. John R. Cummings Sr. of Odon, IN, and Ruth Marcella (Young) Cummings of Dugger, Indiana. John's family moved frequently due to his father's career in the Air Force. Growing up, John never attended any school for more than two years, except for college.

In high school on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, John attended Punahou School. As a freshman, he placed first in the state in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle junior varsity competitions and broke the state JV record for the 100-yard freestyle. He was also part of The Honolulu Youth Symphony Orchestra. The next year, as a sophomore, John finished third in the state in the 200 and 400-yard freestyle varsity events. He later moved to Florida and did not compete again until college, where he competed at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

In college, John majored in History and Political Science and was active in the fraternity Talos, which later became ATO. He participated in local service projects and joined several groups opposed to the nation's involvement in the Vietnam War, including planning demonstrations in Washington, D.C.
In 1971, John joined VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) and moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, to work on developing civil rights leadership and youth programs in low-income communities. It was here that God brought him together with his future wife, Nancy Cassaday. They met and spent their first day together at a get-acquainted party at her house, talking well into the night. Eight years later, on June 23, 1979, they were married in Bloomington, IN, and moved to their new home in Bloomfield, IN, where they raised two sons: John Ralph III, who married Brandy Denham and has three children—Madison Rose Denham, Emma Elizabeth, and Ethan Matthew Michael—and Matthew Warren, who married Danielle Owen and has two children—Jasmine Amayah and Sage Sojourner. John was very proud of his sons and grandchildren and loved them deeply.

John worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for 10 years before retiring from the Indiana Rail Road after 21 years as a manager, where he was one of the original 16 employees. A siding west of Dugger, Indiana, was named "Cummings Siding" by Tom Hoback (President, Owner, and CEO of INRD) in recognition of John's dedication to the railroad industry.

John was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bloomfield, where he was baptized in 1991 after many years of prayers by his faithful wife and friends. He served in many roles in the church, including as a youth leader, deacon, moderator, and encourager to those in need. John was also active in the Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis communities, serving on the Board of Directors and volunteering his time for many walks, journeys, and flights. He was the Cubmaster for Pack 468 in Bloomfield for five years, growing the unit from fewer than 10 boys to over 70. Along with his wife, Nancy, he worked with the downtown Christian youth group Oasis for over six years and enjoyed watching the high school students grow up and start families of their own.

After retirement, John enjoyed bicycling, pickleball, gardening, collecting pre-war "O" model trains, listening to Janis Joplin, and teasing his grandchildren.

John's beloved wife, Nancy, whom God gave him to love with all his heart, preceded him to heaven, along with his parents and sister, Rowena Lankford. Surviving him are his son, John III, and his children, Madison, Emma, and Ethan; his son Matthew and his wife, Danielle, and their children, Jasmine and Sage; and nieces Kendal and Kiersten and cousin Denny Young.

John enjoyed and lived his life to fullest and greeted every single person with love and a sense of humor.
Favorite verse: A promise and a blessing

"Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen. – Rev. 22:20-21

The verse I claim
1 Corinthians 7:14
"For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife... Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy."