Garry Cunningham

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Garry Lee Cunningham, 67, of Faulkton, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 24, at the Faulkton High School Gymnasium with Father James Morgan and Father Joji Itukulapati officiating.  A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 23, St. Thomas Catholic Church, Faulkton. 

Garry Cunningham was born March 21, 1946 to John and Evelyn (Alldritt) Cunningham in Aberdeen, SD.  He grew up on a farm eight miles south of Mina until he entered first grade, when the family then moved into Mina.  In 1959 the family moved to Faulkton, where Garry’s dad managed the Faulkton Farmer’s Elevator.  Some of Garry’s first jobs were cleaning filters at the new swimming pool, working at the Faulkton Golf Course, and working for Doyle and Jean Deiter on their farm.  His job on the Deiter farm lead to a lifelong relationship that will forever be cherished. 

He taught at Cresbard School from 1968 to 1974, and he entered Basic Training in the winter of 1969, spending six years in the Army Reserve.  In 1970, Garry moved back home to Faulkton and was the Industrial Arts teacher in the Faulkton School from 1974 to 2006.  He was also a substitute bus driver during this time. 

Sports and children were a large part of Garry’s life.  He coached midgets, teeners, and junior legion baseball in Faulkton.  Garry felt honored to play in the State Amateur Baseball Tournament held in Renner, SD with a team from Seneca, which also included his dad and brother Dale.  Throughout his teaching career, Garry coached boys basketball, girls basketball, football, and golf for Cresbard and Faulkton Schools. In the winter of 2007, Garry was honored by the SDHSAA for twenty five years of coaching.  Then in February 2013, Garry’s commitment to sports in the Faulkton Area was recognized with the formal dedication of the “Garry Cunningham Sports Complex”, an honor that was humbling to Garry and his family.

Garry had a passion for the game of golf.  He began working part-time at Lakeside Country Club when he was in the eighth grade.  In 1972, he began his tenure as course manager.  He dedicated many hours to managing and improving the golf course, watching it become what it is today.  He continued to work at Lakeside Country Club until the fall of 2012, when his health would no longer allow.  During this time, he only spent two summers away from the course.  Much of the time Garry spent at the golf course also included his family.  Irene and Deena were often found cleaning the clubhouse. Irene also kept busy preparing meals while Darin and Brice spent many hours alongside Garry mowing and watering.  He also had the privilege of watching his grandchildren become part of the family team.  Garry not only loved to work on the course, but he loved to play the game as well.  He played countless rounds of golf with his golf partner of thirty-four years, DuWayne Hushka.  Garry had the privilege of acing two holes in his golf career. 

Garry married Irene Kaatz, his loving wife of forty-four years, in Buchanan, ND on December 28, 1968.  To this marriage three children were born: Darin, Brice, and Deena.  Garry and Irene raised their children in the community of Faulkton, which will always be home to the entire family.

Garry’s hobbies included golf, woodworking, cards, bowling, hunting, working at his cabin, and helping people in any way that he could.  Much of his spare time after retirement was spent mowing yards for people that needed an extra hand.  He was also notorious for cruising around in his tractor and scooping people out after a blizzard.  Nothing meant more to Garry than spending time with his grandchildren, whom he deeply loved, and each and every one of them knew it. 

Garry is survived by his wife Irene, Faulkton; his sons: Darin (Lara) Cunningham, Yankton, and Brice (Nicole) Cunningham, Faulkton; daughter, Deena Cunningham, Sioux Falls; grandchildren: Jimmie, Jake, and Jordyn; Tyler, Noah, Ally, and Hannah; Carter, Benjamin, Lincoln, and Grant; two brothers: Dale, Colton, SD, and Bob (Leanne), Mina, SD, and sister, Karen (Gary) Hanson, Bloomington, MN. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Evelyn, an infant sister Kathy, sister-in-law Beverly (Becker) Cunningham, brother-in-law Gene Kaatz, and nephew Grant Kaatz.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Garry Cunningham Memorial Fund at Dacotah Bank, Faulkton.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Garry’s arrangements.