Jake passed away peacefully at home on December 12, 2020, at 73 years of age.  He was laid to rest on December 16, 2020, in a private graveside service at Walnut Grove Cemetery beside the graves of his parents, Clyde and Bennie C. Patrick Cunningham, and his brother Gene Cunningham, with Chandler Funeral Home of Vernon officiating.  Jake was born on December 27, 1946, in Lamar County, AL, and lived there until his graduation from Millport High School in 1966.  He then enlisted in the United States Air Force.  His "boot camp" was in San Antonio, TX, following which he spent the next two years at Paine Field in Washington State near Seattle.  Soon after being transferred to Tyndall AFB in Panama City, FL, he married Teresa Macon in November, 1968.  He always remembered his time in the Air Force fondly as it allowed him the opportunity to meet and work with many people, especially Mac and Martha Lowry and their family, who became fast friends for many years to come.  Those four years also helped him develop new skills and grow into the strong, responsible, intelligent and principled person he remained throughout his life.

After completing his time in service, Jake and Teresa relocated to Birmingham, AL, where he became a machinist and worked as such until they moved back to his "old home place" in Millport, AL.  It was there that Jake became the caretaker of the land and trees, animals and family with which they were blessed.  He always believed that anything worth doing was worth doing right, and well.  He rarely relied on anyone to do work he could do himself, and thus he became a Jack of all trades and master of most .  Jake was the best at reviving old equipment many others would replace.  With his renewed backhoes, log truck, bucket trucks, tractors and the like, he worked for his family and others in his community.  He worked for the Lamar County Board of Education before retiring after fifteen years driving a school bus and helping with bus maintenance as well.  Jake took care of the students who rode his bus the same as he did his own children.  He enjoyed giving them something special at Christmas, many times silver dollars.  Jake spent much of his time as a dad showing his kids and teaching them anything and everything he could, and they are indeed his proud legacy.

Preceding him in death were his parents as well as two brothers, Earnie and Gene Cunningham.  He is survived by three siblings, Dot Hanks of Huntsville, AL, Lois Crandall of Soddy Daisy, TN, and Tony Cunningham of San Diego, CA.  He is also survived by his wife of 52 years, Teresa, four children, Amy and husband Sam Garcia of Huntsville, AL, Kelly Cunningham and partner in life Kurt Robinson of Kanab, Utah, twins Nathan and Andrew Cunningham who, with their mom, were Jake's caregivers whenever he needed them.  His grandchildren are Amy and Sam's children, Lydia, Megan, Daniel and Gabriel Garcia.  Jake was deeply loved and will be greatly missed, always.  Anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory may consider two of his favorite non-profits, Saint Jude's Children's Research Hospital and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah (or any shelter for homeless animals!)