Kay A. Cunningham

A diligent, hardworking, and thorough man, Kay Cunningham lived a life of purpose filled with the people and experiences he loved. Although he moved around he was always deeply devoted to the community he called home at the time, and he was eager to serve others in ways both great and small. A devoted father, Kay was so proud of who his children became. He was often out doing something, but he was just as content to be at home perfecting his woodworking skills. Deeply loved, Kay will be forever missed by those who held him near and dear to their hearts.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s, but the 1930s were a much different story as the Great Depression defined the decade. Jobs were scarce and the unemployment rate soared while nearly all American families felt the strain. Despite the challenges of the times, Virgil C. and Mattie M. (Lyons) Cunningham experienced great joy as they welcomed a baby boy into their hearts and home on September 20, 1931, in Swayzee, Indiana. Kay A Cunningham was one of five children born to Virgil and Mattie as he was raised alongside his sisters, Vivian, Wilma, and Phyllis, and his brother, Robert.

In many ways Kay was a young boy of his generation. To earn some money he mowed lawns for people, and he even push mowed the baseball diamond where he and his brother played. Kay was always into sports, and as an athlete at Swayzee High School he played baseball, basketball, and ran track. He was quite talented, too, as he still holds the school record in the high jump, which always made him so proud. After graduating from high school in 1949, Kay entered the workforce, working three jobs including seasonal work at one of the two canning factories in Swayzee. He also worked for himself hanging wallpaper and worked at the local VA Hospital in Marion. Kay also continued playing sports, and in 1959 he played on the Swayzee Merchants baseball team where he was voted most valuable player. He later played on several softball teams, winning three Grant County championships over the years.

The bulk of Kays career was spent with the VA Hospital. He worked his way up there, and he eventually advanced to a position that took him from Marion, Indiana, to start their own VA Hospital in Marion, Illinois. Kays work later brought him to Butler, Pennsylvania, where he worked as an assistant administrator at their VA Hospital. When a position as Chief Medical Administrator at the VA Medical Center back in Marion, Indiana became available, Kay was eager to apply for the opportunity to move back home. He got the position and remained there until retiring in 1990. Throughout his career he received many recognitions and awards for high satisfactory performances and outstanding accomplishments. After retiring, Kay moved to Huntington and La Fountain where he had taken a part-time position with the Salamonie State Park. He lived there until declining health brought him to an assisted living facility in Columbia City in 2014.

While he was busy building a career Kay filled his life with other things, too. He was blessed with the births of two children, Timothy and Brenda. Kay enjoyed coaching baseball both with the Pony League and also coaching his sons Little League team. As a sports fan he diligently kept up with everything on ESPN, and he also watched CNN. Within his community, Kay was president of the Grant County United Way in 1983, and in 1989 he co-chaired A Century of Caring in celebrating 100 years of caring for American War Veterans. He was also Past Master of Grant Lodge 637 Free and Accepted Masons. Kay had always enjoyed building models, but with more time during his retirement years he became a highly skilled woodworker. His work included everything from his first family home to beautifully intricate grandfather clocks and detailed model sail ships, several of which were made without using any kind of kit.

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Kay Cunningham was a humble man whose focus was on making the world around him a better place. He worked hard, but he also took the time to enjoy life, and nothing was better than being surrounded by the ones he loved. A man of many interests, Kay was always busy doing something. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Kay A Cunningham, of Columbia City and formerly of Swayzee, Indiana, died at 5:55 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at Millers at Oak Pointe, Columbia City. Kays family includes his son, Timothy R. Cunningham of Columbia City; daughter, Brenda K. (John) Poe of Salisbury, NC; sister, Phyllis (Joe) Razor-Gordon of Kennesaw, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews. Kay was preceded by his parents; brother, Robert Cunningham; and sisters, Vivian Burke and Wilma Jeane Kimmell.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016, from 9-10 a.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with his funeral service at 10 a.m. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Cunninghams memory to American Diabetes Foundation or Alzheimers Association. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.