James Cunningham

James Louis Cunningham returned to his heavenly home on April 26, 2018.

He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 8, 1933, the second child of two siblings born to Edwin and Emma Cunningham.

He graduated from East High School in Memphis in 1951, where he excelled in athletics. He went on to attend Rhodes College where, again, he was recognized as an accomplished collegiate athlete in both baseball and basketball. He declined an opportunity to pursue professional sports, instead choosing a career path in the field of medicine to insure a predictable paycheck. He then attended the Southern College of Optometry and, upon graduation, served as a military officer for nearly two decades in the United States Army.

He met his true love, Barbara Adkins, while stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. They married in Anchorage on November 18, 1961. Together, they raised a family while serving under the military banner at Fort Sam Houston from 1962-64, Fort Polk from 1964-66, The Presidio from 1966-70, and Fort Bragg from 1970-71. He served at a M.A.S.H. and was Chief of Optometry while at Letterman Army Hospital and Womack Army Medical Center during the Vietnam War. Upon retirement as a Lt. Colonel in 1971, he gave strong consideration to raising his family and establishing his practice in Perth, Australia, however, chose to remain stateside to stay close to extended family. His passion for Australia remained with him throughout his life.

In 1971, he and Barbara chose St. Louis, Missouri as their home where he established a successful practice. He treasured his family beyond measure. He was a deeply religious man and served in various leadership positions for his church as well as the young men's head basketball coach for several years. He was a diehard St. Louis sports fanatic, following the Cardinals, Blues, and St. Louis Rams as only few could. In 2002, he and Barbara moved to Tucson, Arizona. He continued to practice optometry in St. Louis, commuting to Tucson on the weekends, until 2013 when he retired.

Preceding him in death are his parents Edwin Cunningham and Emma Cunningham, his elder brother Edwin Cunningham and Edwin's wife Fairy Cunningham.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Cunningham of Tucson, Arizona, his two children and his three grandchildren; his daughter Carolyn Cunningham-Buck of Palmdale, California, her daughter Caitlin and her son Tyler; his son Charles Cunningham of St. Louis, Missouri, his wife Susan, and their son William James.

The family plans to hold a private memorial service this summer in Memphis, Tennessee.