John "Jack" Wallace Cunningham

John "Jack" Cunningham, age 72, of Biloxi, MS, passed away July 25, 2007, in Biloxi. Jack was born in Trenton, New Jersey on May 10, 1935. He has been a resident of Biloxi since 1955. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science (1973) and a Master in Education (1975). He served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He retired from Keesler Air Force Base Civil Service as a supervisor of Air Training Command with 39 years of service. Jack was extremely involved in numerous civic activites. He coached Little League baseball. He refereed with the Gulf Coast Officals Association for 29 years. He is a life time member of the Biloxi's Elk Lodge # 606. He held several positions including Exalted Ruler, State President, District Deputy for the State of MS, Chairman of the Elks National Foundation where he was selected twice as Elk of the Year and Chairman of the Biloxi Elks Golf Tournament for 15 years in which Elks from all over the Country came to partcipate. Jack held several positions with the Knights of Columbus Reinhart Schroeder Council # 9409 including Past Grand Knight, District Deputy for 4 years and the Fourth Degree. He was also a member of the Alhambra Oran Caravan #67 where he held the positions of Past Grand Commander and Deputy Regional Director. Jack was well known as a school crossing guard for the Biloxi Police Department. He worked several posts within the district, was beloved by school children and was featured on WLOX in 2006. Jack was a member of Our Lady of Fatima for 45 years. He served as commentator, reader, Eucharistic Minister, and Extra Ordinary Minister that ministered to local hospitals and nursing homes. He received a Papal Blessing from Pope Benedict in 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents, Duncan and Minnie Cunningham, from Scotland; two sisters, Peggy Norton and Betty Trudeau. Jack is survived by his devoted, loving wife of 51 years, Lee Joyce (Romero) Cunningham; his son, Glenn (Kandie Logan) Cunningham of Gulfport; daughter, Lisa Lea (Chris) Jones of Gulfport; brother, James (Elaine) Cunningham of Robinson, NJ; sisters, Kathleen Hagemann of New Port Richey, FL and Mary Bryant of Morrisvile, PA; grandchildren, Johnny (Tasha) Cunningham of Chicago, IL, Joey Cunningham of Long Beach, MS, Lindsey Jones of Gulfport, MS and Christa Jones of Gulfport, MS; one great-granddaughter, Laela Cunningham, of Chicago, IL and numerous other loving and devoted family and friends. Visitation will be held Monday, July 30, 2007, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi from 9 until 11 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30 followed by a reception to be held in Our Lady of Fatima Parish Center. The family request memorial donations to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.