January 29, 1987
Father David Cushing
Father Cushing was born on April 18, 1930 in Chicago, IL where he attended St. Laurence Parish Grade School. He studied for the priesthood at St. Jude Seminary, Momence, IL; Dominguez Seminary, Compton, CA; Claretville Theologate, Calabasas, CA; and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, MO where he was ordained for the Diocese of Wichita on March 14, 1959 by Archbishop Joseph Ritter. As an assistant Father Cushing served at St. Patrick Parish, Chanute; St. Mary’s Cathedral; and St. Patrick Parish, Parsons. He got his Master’s Degree in education at Emporia State Teachers’ College and was assigned as administrator of St. Patrick High School in Parsons and Madonna High School in Wichita. In 1971 he became pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Strong City (where he took great pride in serving as the announcer of the Flint Hills Rodeo), followed by pastoral assignments to St. James Parish in Augusta and Holy Cross Parish in Hutchinson. He served two terms on the Presbyteral Council and was Dean of the Kingman Deanery. He died from cancer on January 29, 1987 and his funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Gerber and priests of the diocese at Holy Cross Parish in Hutchinson on February 2, 1987. Fr. Cushing was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Hutchinson.