Jamie (as we called him when we were children) was the cousin who was closest in age to me.  We were inseparable when we were children.  We had rituals we observed to record when we were together (which have never before been revealed to the outside world):  we put a mark on a certain SECRET place on our grandfather's combine to indicate our presence together at their farm.  One certain mark meant only Jamie and I were there; another mark meant our next closest cousin, Mary Ann, was also there.  We didn't really care about anyone else:  just we three.  (Of course, truly we cared for our grandparents, aunts, uncles and other cousins, but at the time we three were the only ones who really mattered to us).  Mary Ann and I both got to ride on his motor bike with him, a privilege we were shocked that our overprotective mothers allowed us.  It was a mark of the confidence our mothers had in him, that they allowed this.   As we grew into adulthood (with marriage, parenthood, jobs, etc.) we were not able to see each other as often and retain our extreme closeness, but some things never really change. Until Parkinson's disease intervened,  we continued to call each other EVERY YEAR on February 2, GroundHog's Day, to recall and celebrate a childhood event, where we dug for hours and hours trying to locate a groundhog we had spied at our grandparents' farm.  Well,  actually, Jamie dug, and my older sister and I (whom we sometimes allowed to play with us) simply encouraged him.  He was so much stronger and could dig much faster than we could!  Of course, we never found the groundhog, but the happy memory persisted between us.
     I could write pages and pages about our remembered escapades, but I noticed the directions said "A Memory,"  not "Memories."   I loved him dearly, and I know he loved me as well.  Farewell, dear cousin, until we meet again in heaven.  I will miss you forever!  I love you!  Grace    

Jim was always smiling and friendly with everyone.  He was a great leader and was there for all of us.  His love of older restored Corvettes was impressive as he once gave my husband and I the grand tour of his garage.  Everyone loved Jim.

     Jim (Jamie) was my first cousin, and I have wonderful memories of family get togethers.  Jamie was a wonderful cousin whom we all looked up to!  He showed so much engineering skill even as a child - like the time he dug the big tunnel in the back yard.   We cousins often played monopoly for hours, and I remember Jamie or Grace winning most of the time.  We also played "murder in the dark" at night, and I am sure that it got on our parents' and grandparents' nerves, but they let us play anyway.  That memory has made me much more flexible when my own grandchildren want to play hide and seek in every closet of the house.  I remember the time Jamie took me on a motorcycle ride from Three Rivers to Pawnee (and our parents let us - Wow)!  They trusted Jamie!  I also remember one week when Jamie and Nancy spent a week in Brenham with my sister Patricia and me and our family.  Since Jamie was the only boy, he got talked into quilting one day along with the rest of us - but not for very long!  
     Jamie was an amazing cousin, and I am thankful that he is now with our Heavenly Father!
                                           Love and Blessings,
                                           Mary Ann Williford
Ich Bin Bei Euch Alle Tage.
I am with you always. 
                           Matthew 28:20

Brian and I met Jim and Brenda in the 80's. They loved to travel and did a lot of it.  Jim loved cars and loved racing around Europe in a Mercedes.  They always took time to say howdy when they were in town... even visiting us with Nicole while we were living in Holland and again in the 90's when we lived in Denver.  We still have the wind chimes they sent when they visited Yellowstone.    

With sweet memories 

Brian and Gail Kirby

He was always a pleasant, kind and friendly man  when I worked at  Blue Cross and Blue Shield with him.  My deepest condolences and prayers for his family. Rest In Peace Jim. 🙏🏾

Jim Cunningham and I have been friends for 40 plus years.  We met at Blue Cross where both of us worked.  We shared many meals together and many laughs.  Gevona and I built our retirement close to where Jim and Brenda lived and then Kerry and enjoyed being neighbors.  However that time has been cut much too short.

I met Jim in August 1975, when I joined the 75th Aerial Port Squadron. I had just separated from Active Duty while overseas and was hired over the phone by then Major John Burris. We promptly went on an Annual Tour to McChord AFB, WA. Jim and I hit it off immediately and never had a cross word in 46 years of close friendship! I already miss our bi-weekly phone calls and frequent visits. Jim was my closest and best friend I ever had in my Air Force active and reserve career. Ibbs and I give our condolences to the extended Cunningham family. Jim will be missed greatly, but we’re relieved he no longer suffers from the terrible disease that he had.

Lt. Col. Frank Hale, USAFR (Ret)


I first met Jim, when the 75th Aerial Port Squadron was formed at Kelly AFB,  TX. I was selected as the first commander of the unit and I was given a List  that contained  of names of a number of  officers . I was to select my staff from that list.
 I  was the only officer who had any idea what an aerial port Sq, did,, I had been the CO of the 922nd Aerial port Flight, 
In any event, I interviewed Jim firs,t because Cunningham  was first on the list. .
 A  brash, young,  smart charming ,well groomed
young man ,who had no idea what  his job was or how to do it.
But confidant, and  was willing to serve.
I knew  H e was the one to serve as my executive officer and training officer. We both wanted  to create the finest aerial Port Squadron. Time does allow me  to list Jim's accomplishments.
I  was the Young major that became  a Major   General  because
 of Jim Cunningham.
I cherish the memory of JIM  CUNNINGHAM,  A TRUE
AMERICAN  WHO WILL BE MISSED BY ALL

Major General  (RET)John H Burris
   
 

To Jim's family,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Jim was a Commander of the 73rd Aerial Port Squadron in the early years of my Air Force career and became a dear friend. I can hear his deep soft voice and see his big smile. As the tears start to flow and a final salute, rest in peace my friend.

JJ and Lisa Appelfeller

OBITUARY

James "Jim" Marvin Cunningham Jr.

11 May, 1944 – 7 August, 2021

Stonebriar Funeral Home and Cremation Services

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