Clifford Shelby Cunningham

Clifford Shelby Cunningham passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2012, at his home in Cleveland, Oklahoma at the age of 68 years, nine months and fifteen days. Clifford was born on September 28, 1943, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the son of John James and Eva Lavon (Brown) Cunningham. As a young boy Clifford grew up in the Bear Creek Area near Cleveland and later graduated from Cleveland High School. Shortly after high school Clifford joined the Oklahoma National Guard. He was a part of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at the Pawnee Armory. Clifford worked several jobs prior to gaining employment for a Tulsa based company in 1970, as a mechanic. On October 31, 1970, Clifford was united in marriage to the love of his life Gladys Marie Cupp at the Keystone General Baptist Church. The couple established their home in the Cleveland Area where they have continued to reside. Clifford continued working in Tulsa and later retired in 2005, and was the lead inspector. Clifford loved the times he went to Colorado hunting with his son. Most of the family vacations were also in Colorado. Some of Cliffordís hobbies include wood carving and making canes as well as spending many hours fishing and deer hunting. The Fourth of July was his favorite holidays. He loved getting his family together, spending time with them and was a very devoted husband and father to his family. The more family, the happier he became. The most highly cherished person in Cliffordís life was his wife Gladys. The two of them spent each and every day trying to make each otherís day better than the next. Clifford has been a attending the Terlton Baptist Church for many years. Survivors are his loving wife Gladys of the home, mother Eva Mayfield of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two children Clifford Shelby Cunningham Jr. of Cleveland, Oklahoma, John Todd Cunningham of Tulsa, Oklahoma, two siblings Joan Powell of Claremore, Oklahoma, John J. Cunningham of Cleveland, Oklahoma; niece Shawn Powell of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn his passing. Clifford was preceded in death by his father John James Cunningham.