John Cunningham's Obituary
JOHN A. CUNNINGHAM
John A. Cunningham, 79, passed away peacefully January 11, 2015 after a lengthy battle with both Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. He was surrounded by his loving family as he slipped away quietly in a memory care nursing home.
Born in Chicago, IL on February 26, 1935, John graduated from Lyons Township High School, LaGrange, IL in 1953. After high school he enrolled in the US Army and served primarily in Germany. In 1956 he was called back home to Chicago to take care of his mother when his father unexpectedly passed away of a heart attack.
It was during this time in Chicago that John met Virginia Stargel of Doran, MN and they were married on September 1, 1957 in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Initially living in Chicago, they moved in 1958 to Tacoma, WA and raised two children there. John worked for International Harvester for a short time and spent the next 31 years working for Puget Sound National Bank serving as Trust Officer, Supervisor of the Bookkeeping Department and Auditor. After retiring from the bank in 1990, he enjoyed a second career working as a realtor for a short period, and then for a toy distributor in Fife, WA, finally retiring for good in 2002.
John was active in the community, serving as President of the Tacoma Downtown Lions Club, as well as a board member for Concordia Lutheran School and auditor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for many years. He enjoyed sports and sporting activities, playing on the Good Shepherd Church softball team well into his fifties, coaching numerous girls' softball teams and participating in bowling leagues. He was also extremely proud of having been crowned Illinois State ping pong champion in his early teens.
John was preceded in death by his father and mother, Horace and Helen Cunningham, brothers James Cunningham, Joey Cunningham, and sister Alice Profelski. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Virginia Cunningham, brother William Cunningham (Helen), son Scott Cunningham (Jean), daughter Vicki Jones (Randy) and grandchildren Kelly, Shannon and Brett Cunningham and Anna Kobernick (Jesse), Sarah and Cayley Jones. Our gratitude goes to his physicians Dr. Daniel, Dr. Ma and their staff, as well as the excellent caregivers at Pioneer Place Memory Haven and MultiCare/Good Samaritan Home Health Hospice. Special thanks goes to family members that provided invaluable assistance during John's extended illness, particularly Dean Stargel and Gail & Tom Schmitt.
A memorial service will be held 11:00am Monday, January 19th at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 140 E. 56th St., Tacoma, WA 98404, followed by a graveside service at 2:30pm at Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, WA. Contributions can be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Discretionary Fund.
While it is always difficult to lose a loved one, there is tremendous relief in knowing that John is no longer suffering and that he will spend his eternity in Heaven with his loving Lord Jesus and his beloved family members. This brings tremendous comfort to his remaining family.
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