Jon "Alex" Alexander Cunningham

Alex passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from unknown causes at his brother’s home in Portland, Oregon where he was living. He is survived by his mother, Catherine (Gillies) Bishop; his father, Dale Cunningham; stepfather, William Bishop; brothers, Leonard (Joseph) Jimenez and Kenneth (Nathan) Jimenez; sister, Katherine (Katie) Jimenez; sister in-law, Michele (Wildner) Jimenez; stepsisters, Ashley Bishop and Nicole Bishop; and his bonus family members in California, Lenny Jimenez Sr., Dora Jimenez, Anthony Jimenez, and Amanda Mendoza.

Alex was born on June 29, 1989 in Fullerton, California. He attended kindergarten at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Anaheim, California. In the summer of 1995, his family moved to Chandler, Arizona where he then attended San Marcos Elementary School. Alex went by his middle name growing up. It wasn’t until junior high school, that he switched to “Jon”. Most of his family and friends before that still called him “Alex”, which made it challenging when people called the house for “Jon”. He attended Gilbert Junior High School and then went to Mesquite High School, from which he graduated in 2007.

After Alex moved to Arizona with his mother and siblings, he would spend his summers and some holidays with his father’s family in the Los Angeles area. Alex looked forward to spending time with his cousins, Demontrey, Joey, Sedrick, TJ, Andre, Nathan, Cerman, Leroy, George, JD, Jasmine and Brandi.

He would spend his summers playing Tony Hawk and Madden on PlayStation with his cousins. Three of them, Alex, Cerman, and Nathan, used one profile “NACERALEX”. His father would often take the three to the movies and to Red Lobster. From the time Alex was little, he would always order the Ultimate Feast and eat the whole thing by himself. Alex always enjoyed the annual Fourth of July Celebration at his father’s house after making the long road trip to New Mexico to buy all the “illegal” fireworks. He really liked the food, jumpers, and setting off the fireworks. When his father would leave the house, Alex and the cousins would get two covers apiece and slide down the stairs on their stomachs out into the garage (his father recently found this out).

Being the youngest of four, he always had to think on his toes and be ready to make a quick getaway. Big brother Nate was always looking to body slam him on the bed or twist him into a human pretzel. He would often try to hide behind his sister Katie or older brother Lenny (Joseph). Alex loved watching Dragon Ball Z with his cousins, Joshua and Tommy, and even dawned the character name Goten when they played together. He enjoyed skateboarding and playing and listening to all types of music. In high school he began playing the bass guitar and started, a punk band called What’s Left with a few of his besties, Elliott Ramonis, Taylor Kienzle, and Xander Forrest. Alex also loved to cook. Though he worked in various types of restaurants over the years, he really enjoyed and excelled at making sushi, which the whole family enjoyed including his two youngest cousins, Jeremiah and Mercy.

Alex loved spending time with his nephews, Maverick and Brennan. He always considered himself the “cool” uncle and wore that badge proudly. Alex easily made friends wherever he went. He had an infectious smile and kind heart to match. It didn’t matter what town he lived in or what bar he strolled into, he always had something in common to chat about and it was hard to forget him. Alex will be sorely missed by ALL his family and friends. He will live on in our memories and in our hearts.