Donald Ray Cumbo, a retired First Sergeant with the NC Highway Patrol, passed away surrounded by his loving wife and children at the age of 84. He was born on July 31st in Jones County.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jasper "Jack" and Edna Ruth Cumbo, his brother Harold Douglas Cumbo and an infant sister. Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Demetris "Dee" Cumbo, daughters, Pamela Herring(Ed), Lisha Cumbo Hardy, and son, Donald Cumbo Jr(Joanna).  He is survived by his brother, Rodney Cumbo(Carol), sister in law, Ruth Lois Cumbo, and his brother by choice, David Dillingham. He also leaves behind 8 beloved grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol in 1961, and served in Perquimans, Martin, Cumberland, and Onslow Counties until his retirement as a First Sergeant in 1992. He joined Lafayette Lodge and became Master in 1989. He was past president of Onslow County Shrine Club. A year or so after retiring from the highway patrol, he started driving charter buses, carrying groups all over the country. He made 18 trips to the Freedoms Foundation at  Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, carrying students from the eastern part of North Carolina. He stayed there and chaperoned the students, participating with them in their activities. He also drove the groups to Philadelphia to tour the historical sites.

Don was a loving husband and father, and a cherished grandfather and great grandfather. He could be found on a golf course, behind the wheel of his boat, or spending time on the beach with his friends and family, creating lasting memories. He and Dee enjoyed traveling all over the US and cruising to other countries. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, love, and the importance of family. Special thanks to the people at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare and the Cottages of Swansboro.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 26 at Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville, N.C. from 6:00-8:00 pm. Services will be held on Thursday, July 27 at Onslow Memorial Park at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made in his honor to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 950 West Farris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605 or Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC, 27565. https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/greenville or https://mhc-oxford.org/

Donald Cumbo Sr. will forever remain in our hearts, and his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.