Died September 29, 2020.

Ash Grove R-IV School District, Ash Grove, MO

Bus Driver

Obituary:

David Arnold Tummons (1945-2020), of Bois D’Arc, Missouri, left this world for his eternal home on September 29, 2020 after a week-long battle with COVID. 

David was boisterous. He had a zest for life, which he shared with all who knew him. He had hundreds of friends and never met a stranger. He found great joy in telling jokes, singing, and visiting with family and friends over a cup of coffee. David appreciated the small things in life, and he would get excited about even the smallest of victories. He only had one speed: full throttle. He ran 100% and 100MPH in everything he did. David approached life with unbridled optimism about the future; he lived deeply.

David dedicated his life to teaching youth. David was a science teacher, coach, pep club sponsor, and bus driver for 52 years, working in Mountain Grove (1968-1969), Miller (1969-1971), and Ash Grove (1971-2020) Schools. David invested his life in teaching kids. He valued hard work, honesty, and respect, and he held his students to a very high standard. He served as a project leader for Bois D’Arc Braves 4-H, Sunday School leader at Bois D’Arc United Methodist Church, and spent many nights and weekends driving the pep bus, chaperoning band trips and FFA events, and teaching driver’s ed/bus driving to everyone who asked. David hired youth each summer to help him with his custom hay operation, and his favorite part was teaching them how to operate and maintain equipment.

David was an avid agriculturalist. David grew up milking and showing Registered Shorthorn cattle at their farm in Willard. David milked cows while attending Willard High School (1963) and Southwest Missouri State University (BS Agriculture, 1967), then began working at the USDA Poultry Station Manager in Mountain Grove, Missouri. In 1970, David and Kay Ann moved to her grandparent’s century farm in Bois D’Arc, Missouri, where they raised hay, cattle, and kids. David was a tractor collector and loved his John Deere equipment. He took great pleasure in bringing bottle calves to elementary ag days, watching grandkids Sam and Sadie Tummons show their animals at the fair, and hosting hay rides on their farm. David was a charter member of the Ash Grove Young/Adult Farmers, the Ash Grove FFA Booster Club, and was a member of the Republic Steam Engine Association.

David was a man of action. David had a strong sense of right and wrong and acted quickly to help those in need. David was often the first to volunteer help neighbors and the community; no challenge was too great. In particular, David sought out youth who struggled in traditional school or who needed some extra help in life. He saw it as his duty to serve as mentor, life coach, and even second parent.

David was married for 53 years to Kay Ann (Buckler) Tummons, his high school sweetheart. Kay Ann and David enjoyed trips with family to Colorado and to the Gulf of Mexico. David is survived by Kay Ann and their two sons, Joe Bill Tummons of Bois D’Arc, and Dr. John David Tummons, wife Elizabeth, and grandkids Samuel and Sadie Tummons of Columbia. He is also survived by brother Richard Tummons of Columbia, sisters Kathy Wrinkle and Gale Jones of Springfield, and mother Martha Wommack Tummons of Willard.

David showed us how to savor each day, teach the next generation, find dignity in hard work, and take action on what is important. Acts 13:36

Visitation will be from 4:30PM-7:00PM, Friday, October 16, 2020 at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove. MO. Graveside services will be 10:00AM, Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Yeakley Chapel Cemetery, Springfield, MO. Masks and social distancing are appreciated.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The David Tummons Dignity of Labor Legacy Scholarship. Checks payable to “Ash Grove FFA Chapter” with “Tummons” in the memo line. Donations may be left or mailed to the funeral home, PO BOX 217, Ash Grove, MO 65604.