Gregory Gene Cunningham

Friday, August 6, 2010

Gregory Gene Cunningham, of Golden City, Mo., passed away Friday, July 30, 2010, at his home after suffering a massive heart attack. Greg was 53 years old. Born Jan. 14, 1957, in Nevada, he spent his childhood in the Kansas City, Rich Hill and Harwood areas, graduating from Schell City high school. In May of 1982, Greg graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

After college, he moved to Lockwood, Mo., and worked with his dad in the seed business. In 1985, along with his dad, Roy, Greg became owner of Southwest Seed Company in Golden City. They closed their business in 2000. Greg went to work for the Missouri Seed Association inspecting soybean fields and other crops. In 2003, he went to work full time for Whittle Farms west of Golden City and was employed there at the time of his death. Greg was a member of the Golden City Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years.

On July 30, 1977, Greg married his high school sweetheart, Becky Lynn Parkison at the Harwood Baptist Church. They had one son, Jason Cunningham. They later divorced. After his divorce, he moved to Golden City and bought a small farm where he raised some cattle and crops. He enjoyed hunting and raising rainbow trout as well as participating in muzzleloading competitions. He loved collecting antiques and searching for Indian artifacts. On May 13, 2000, Greg married Joni Denise Cunningham in Eureka Springs, Ark.

Greg was preceded in death by a longtime companion, Linda Carol Perry.

Greg is survived by his wife, Joni Cunningham, Golden City; his parents, Roy and Denzail Cunningham, Nevada; a son, Jason Cunningham and wife, Leslie, Cane Hill, Mo.; two stepsons, Nick Gordon and wife Tam, Marysville, Kan. and Eric Gordon and wife, Michelle, Edmond, Okla.; three sisters, Melissa Hinck and husband Jamie, Carmel, Ind.; Roylene Cunningham, Seattle, Wash. and Mary Beth Claypool and husband Brandon, Stilwell, Kan.; five grandchildren, Tyler, Merissa and Alex Gordon, Edmond, Okla., and Telesha and Adilee Gordon, Marysville, Kan.; nieces, nephews, relatives and many, many friends.

Services were held at Pugh's Funeral home in Golden City at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 2. Visitation was held Sunday evening, at 6. A fund has been set up with the Golden City Fire Department for those wishing to make donations in Greg's memory in lieu of flowers.