Adrian “Dad”, “Granddad” Cunningham was born on January 1, 1921 in Atlanta, Missouri. The son of Paul and Bertha (Main) Cunningham, he became the fifth child of a family that would grow to eleven children. As a small child, Adrian’s family moved from small town to small town so his father could find work as an auto mechanic. This is where Adrian developed his love for automobiles and learning about internal combustion engines. Eventually his family moved to Caldwell, Kansas where his father found work. He attended public schools and worked throwing papers, odd jobs and for Teel’s Grocery store sacking and delivering groceries. Adrian graduated High School in 1939.
Following graduation, Adrian studied at KU and the University of Wichita while working part time at Boeing. In 1942 he proudly joined the Naval Air Corps where he was assigned as a crew member of the PBY-Catalina “Black Cat” squadron which engaged the enemy in the South Pacific. After the war, Adrian came home to Caldwell where he worked odd jobs while looking for a “career” job. He not only found his “career” job with the United States Postal Service but also found a new bride, Roberta Taylor, who he married in 1949.
Adrian’s first assignment with the United States Postal Service took them to Kansas City, Missouri, where they stayed until being transferred to Wichita, Kansas until his retirement in 1977. While in Wichita they were blessed with two children, Randy in 1950 and Sherrie in 1953.
In 1977, they returned to Caldwell to live the rest of their lives. Adrian enjoyed gardening, collecting stamps and coins, and working on his 100 year old house. His biggest joys however, were spending time with his grandchildren, working on his vehicles and taking care of his wife.
Adrian was a selfless man who took pride in taking care of his family as he never complained, worked hard and always made the best of every situation. He died in his own home where his wife of 73 years had passed away only 33 days prior. They both will be missed!
He was preceded in death by his wife; grandson, Jonathan Dunn; brothers Laurin Cunningham, Leonard Cunningham, Bernard Cunningham, Gale Cunningham and Durwood Cunningham; sisters, Wilma Dean Reaves, Dorothy Cunningham, Pauline Osburn, Maxine Bevington and Mary Louise Barber; sisters-in-law, Naomi Cunningham, Mary Jane Cunningham and Irene Cunningham; brothers-in-law, Leo Reaves and Glenn Bevington.
Survivors include; son, Randy Cunningham and wife Carol; daughter, Sherrie Dunn; grandchildren Phillip Dunn, Jennifer Hoff and husband Chad, Rebekah Henderson and husband Joey, Holly Dochow and husband Cody, Abby Swank and husband Caleb, Ross Cunnigham and wife Diann; great grandchildren, Nathan Hoff, Josh Hoff, Luke Hoff, Anna Hoff, Kael Henderson, Malachi Henderson, Xander Henderson, Taytum Dochow, Henley Dochow and Grey Swank. Sisters-in-law Lorene Cunningham and Ms. Durwood Cunningham and brother-in-law C.N. Barber.
Private family services will be held.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Caldwell Senior Center or to Good Shepherd Hospice and sent in care of the mortuary.
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