CUNNINGHAM, James R. "Jim"

CUNNINGHAM, SMITH, DAVIS, BRANDT, WENDEL, HANLEY, WARNER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/8/2018 at 11:21:44

Obituary ~ James R. "Jim" Cunningham
December 04, 1938 ~ July 25, 1996

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
July 26, 1996

MASON CITY --- James R. "Jim" Cunningham, 57, of 2218 N. Carolina Ave., died Thursday (July 25, 1996) at his home of natural causes.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., with the Rev. John Kremer officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Dougherty. The Fullerton Patterson James Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., where a Scriptural wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church.

James R. Cunningham was born Dec. 4, 1938, on a farm in Scott Township, Floyd County, Dougherty, the son of John R. and Margaret M. (Smith) Cunningham. He married Kay Jean Davis on Oct. 1, 1958, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City.

Jim grew up in the rural areas east of Dougherty. He attended St. Patrick's grade school and graduated from St. Patrick's High School, Dougherty, in 1956.

In the fall of 1956, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and received his training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

In the fall of 1957, he moved with his family to Mason City, and worked in building construction. He worked as a service manager at the Ford dealerships in Mason City for 29 years.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and his morning walks. He was a devoted father and grandfather. He enjoyed woodworking projects, hosting and cooking at family gatherings, attending antique auctions and auto auctions. He loved listening to country music, and in his formative years, enjoyed playing saxophone.

He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Kay; two daughters, Tammy Sue Brandt and her husband, Barry, of Cedar Rapids, and Marilyn Kay Wendel of Mason City; one son, Christopher James Cunningham, of Mason City; four grandchildren, Aaron Brandt of Cedar Rapids; Nathan, Mandy and Margaret Wendel, of Mason City; one brother, John R. Cunningham, of Mason City; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents, James and Susan (Noss) Cunningham; maternal grandparents, Bernard and Ellen (Hanley) Smith; an infant brother, John R. Cunningham in the year 1925; and a sister, Romona R. Warner, July 22, 1983; and a brother-in-law, Bobby Warner in May of 1988.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Cunningham home.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2018