“God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered “Come to Me”.” Author Unknown.
Jack Thayer Cunningham, age 90, passed away early Sunday morning, January 7, 2018. He was a retired Project Coordinator with Sauder Industries. He had been a resident of Emporia for 58 years.
Jack was born on December 22, 1927 in rural Hartford, KS to Ola B. Cunningham and Esther M. (Coburn) Cunningham.
Jack graduated from Springdale Arkansas High School and completed one year of studies at the University of Arkansas. He returned to Kansas and became the youngest union carpentry journeyman in Kansas. On September 4, 1948, Jack married Laurea A. Myers in Hartford, KS and started raising a family of 4 boys and 2 girls.
In the Hartford area, Jack farmed and continued his carpentry trade in numerous projects. The John Redman Dam Project and increasing job employment in the Emporia area, created the opportunity for Jack and his family to relocate where he began his career at Sauder Industries. Through his 33 years plus with Sauder, Jack’s title changed many times; Project Coordinator, Manufacturing Engineer, Sales Engineer and Estimator.
Jack was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, American Welding Society, Boy Scout’s of America, The Gideon’s International, Kansas Pickers and Fiddlers, the Cushman Club of America and Grace United Methodist Church.
After many years of raising the family, Jack and Laurea divorced. He is preceded in death by his parents, his ex-wife, one sister Patti Sue Hand and great grandson Waylon D. Schaefer.
Survivors include four sons, Ronald T. (Mary Ann), Mark A, Marshall L, Douglas K. (Libby); two daughters, Linda L. (John) Fitzpatrick and Denise A. (Darrell) Ricker; nine grand children and 13 great grandchild.
Jack lived his life to the fullest of his abilities. Whether that was professional, social, religious, or familial relationships. This was evident by his sense of fairness, respect for all, ethics grounded in high moral standards, and challenging all to do their best. “Do it right the first time” was a common adage. These principles were ever present whether he was a participant in or was part of the group or team leadership. His love for God, family, friends was experienced by those who interacted with him - study groups, projects, or as students when Jack was seen walking the talk and cheering, calling us to join in the sojourn together. Jack will be missed.
Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held at the Grace United Methodist Church, Emporia, on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. The service will be conducted by Pastor Lee Hoskins.
The family requests no flowers. Contributions to Grace United Methodist Church, or Boy Scout Troop #165 may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnet Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, KS 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jack T. Cunningham, please visit our flower store.
Jack Thayer Cunningham, age 90, passed away early Sunday morning, January 7, 2018. He was a retired Project Coordinator with Sauder Industries. He had been a resident of Emporia for 58 years.
Jack was born on December 22, 1927 in rural Hartford, KS to Ola B. Cunningham and Esther M. (Coburn) Cunningham.
Jack graduated from Springdale Arkansas High School and completed one year of studies at the University of Arkansas. He returned to Kansas and became the youngest union carpentry journeyman in Kansas. On September 4, 1948, Jack married Laurea A. Myers in Hartford, KS and started raising a family of 4 boys and 2 girls.
In the Hartford area, Jack farmed and continued his carpentry trade in numerous projects. The John Redman Dam Project and increasing job employment in the Emporia area, created the opportunity for Jack and his family to relocate where he began his career at Sauder Industries. Through his 33 years plus with Sauder, Jack’s title changed many times; Project Coordinator, Manufacturing Engineer, Sales Engineer and Estimator.
Jack was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, American Welding Society, Boy Scout’s of America, The Gideon’s International, Kansas Pickers and Fiddlers, the Cushman Club of America and Grace United Methodist Church.
After many years of raising the family, Jack and Laurea divorced. He is preceded in death by his parents, his ex-wife, one sister Patti Sue Hand and great grandson Waylon D. Schaefer.
Survivors include four sons, Ronald T. (Mary Ann), Mark A, Marshall L, Douglas K. (Libby); two daughters, Linda L. (John) Fitzpatrick and Denise A. (Darrell) Ricker; nine grand children and 13 great grandchild.
Jack lived his life to the fullest of his abilities. Whether that was professional, social, religious, or familial relationships. This was evident by his sense of fairness, respect for all, ethics grounded in high moral standards, and challenging all to do their best. “Do it right the first time” was a common adage. These principles were ever present whether he was a participant in or was part of the group or team leadership. His love for God, family, friends was experienced by those who interacted with him - study groups, projects, or as students when Jack was seen walking the talk and cheering, calling us to join in the sojourn together. Jack will be missed.
Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held at the Grace United Methodist Church, Emporia, on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. The service will be conducted by Pastor Lee Hoskins.
The family requests no flowers. Contributions to Grace United Methodist Church, or Boy Scout Troop #165 may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnet Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, KS 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jack T. Cunningham, please visit our flower store.
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