John Kumm

Dr. John Alan Kumm, 50 of Great Falls, died of drowning Thursday, June 6, 2013 at Tiber Reservoir. John lived his life to the fullest anchored by faith, family and friends. A funeral service is10:30 AM Friday, June 21, 2013 at Central Assembly of God. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the service. Burial will follow the luncheon at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. John was born December 30, 1962 in Great Falls Montana to Phil and Gloria Kumm. John was the second of 4 children. John was raised in Great Falls spending a lot of family time in sports, hunting and fishing. An athlete to the core John played Little League through 8th grade, football through 9th grade and varsity basketball.John attended Charles M Russell High School, where he met his high school sweet heart Tracy Maxwell. He graduated high school in 1981. John went on to graduate from Montana State University in Bio-medical Science major and chemistry minor. John and Tracy married on November 14, 1987. John and Tracy moved to Forest Grove Oregon to attend Pacific University College of Optometry. John and Tracy welcomed their first daughter Brittany in 1991. John graduated with a Doctor of Optometry in 1992. Upon graduation, John, Tracy and Brittany moved home to Great Falls Montana. John joined the Eye Clinic of Great Falls as an associate in August 1992 and became a partner in January 1994. John practiced with Dr. Pat Stibel and Dr. Paul Katherine for 15 years until Dr. Katherine retired. John and Pat continued the practice until Dr. Don Hager joined them in 2008. John practiced general optometry with special interest in fitting bifocal contact lenses, managing eye disease, and working with kids. John served on the Montana Optometric association board from 1998 to 2003 and was a member of the American Optometric Association for 25 years.Johns faith in Jesus guided everything he did. He loved the Lord then his family and then his profession. Taking care of his patients was Johns passion as illustrated in several quotes in a local optometry newsletter Patients have taught me to appreciate where I am in life and whats been given to me. Theres no questionlifes a gift! Little kids are a hoot! Theyre entertaining as heck! I feel so fortunate being in a career where I like what I do and enjoy coming to work every day. I take great pleasure in interacting with our staff, working with my patients and feeling like I am helping to make life just a little better for people. If you treat a patient the way you would treat your own kids, parents or grandmother, you cant go wrong. Were all human and can make mistakes, but if you always do what is best for the patient, I believe thats what were called to do.John and Tracy were blessed with two more girls, Brandy in 1994 and Taylor in 1996. John and Tracy raised their girls united in faith, family priorities and goals. Both dedicated their lives to years of softball, basketball, music, church and college activities. John spent many hours loving and coaching softball and basketball for all three girls. He took care of all of the girls on his teams as if they were his own. Johns friends remained a priority throughout his busy life. They described him as dependable, loyal, disciplined, caring and smart. He was counted on for guidance in faith, family, sports, hunting and life in general. John served as a board member for the Heisey Youth Center for many years. He was a regular playing noon ball at the Heisey with many good friends. John was also involved with city league softball and basketball for many years.John especially enjoyed spending his free time with his brother Phil fishing for walleye, hunting pheasants, enjoying sport events and raising and training their Brittany Spaniels. John is survived by his wife Tracy, daughters Brittany, Brandy and Taylor, grandmother, Anne Besich, parents Phil and Gloria Kumm, brother Phil (Kim) Kumm, sisters Susan Dolan and Marie Litostansky and many extended family, nieces and nephews.John was preceded in death by his grandfather John Besich.Memorials are suggested to Central Assembly of God missionary fund, 2001 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401.