I want to introduce you to someone. He’s pretty special, and his initials are M.A.C., just like his daughter’s. In fact, that was planned so they’d always have those matching initials to share.
M.A.C. stands for Mark Alan Cummings. Mark came from Jerseyville, Illinois, and Lewisville, Texas, and he moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in September of 2013 at the age of 25 to change his life and live his dreams. You see, Mark had experienced some real challenges and made some pretty bad choices that he wanted to correct. Unlike many, Mark was ready to face his choices, brave enough to change everything, and willing to put in the work to make it all happen. And he did just that.
Mark worked tirelessly to build the life he held in his dreams, the life he wanted in Wyoming. It was a dream like many of ours: a good job, a loving family, and an opportunity as vast as the Wyoming skies. An avid outdoorsman, Mark loved to fish and help with the family’s Belted Galloway cattle. One of Mark’s strongest skill sets was the extraordinary relationships he forged with others, from family to coworkers – relationships cast together through quality time and incredible work ethic. A bit more quiet than loud, he demonstrated his care through actions for others by placing their needs above his own. And he had a weakness for baked French toast and Christmas cookies, which he would request through a gentle suggestion of groceries consisting of needed ingredients and a charming smile – a smile that motivated even the weariest of family members after a long day to help bake these treats. But his biggest dream in life was to become a father, and he could hardly contain himself in the hospital when his beautiful daughter was born in 2016. In anticipation, he paced the hallways of the hospital for nearly 12 hours until her arrival.
Mark lost his life on September 20, 2016, at the young age of 27 years, in a workplace accident. Mark worked in the construction field, and on that beautiful day in Laramie, he was assisting in laying waterline pipe and the installation of precast concrete manholes for later development of the site. Mark was helping to set a manhole when the rigging failed, and he was struck by the precast concrete manhole. It was an event that forever changed the dreams and lives of all who loved him.
M.A.C. is one face that represents many of the Wyoming workers that we mourn, remember, and commit our voices to this Workers Memorial Day, April 28, 2023. He is the pride, dreams and wealth of Wyoming – the Wyoming Worker.
A sincere thank you to the Cummings Family for sharing so much and allowing us to honor Mark.