Wyatt Howard Cunningham

Wyatt Howard Cunningham of Gainesville, GA, passed away on May 15, 2023.

Wyatt “Howard” Cunningham lived a long and prosperous life. Howard is survived by his two children Linda Cunningham Cox (Steve Cox) and Wyatt Cunningham Jr. (Nancy Cunningham). His four grandchildren: Wyatt H. Cunningham, III (Trey), Natalie Hales, Travis Cox, Michael Cunningham and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene Cunningham of Fuquay-Varina NC and his parents, Wyatt Clark Cunningham, and Jennett Phillips Cunningham and two sisters; Dora Louise Briscoe and Irene Baker all from Kentucky.

Howard was the classic “small town boy” made good story. He grew up on a family farm where they raised tobacco and cows. He graduated from Salvisa High School in Mercer County, Kentucky on June 1, 1950. He then enlisted in the US Air Force. He served his country for four years in the Air Force. After basic training and extensive electronics training, he was stationed overseas primarily in France setting up a network of radio towers. He was honorably discharged in November 1955.

While stationed at Warner Robbins AFB Howard met Sarah White at the USO playing ping pong. They corresponded while he was away and upon his discharge Howard returned to Macon where they were married in 1956. They divorced after eighteen years of marriage but remained friends the rest of his life. This was a blessing to the family.

Howard was hired by IBM in Macon. In 1968 his work took the family to the Atlanta area where they lived in Tucker, GA. Howard continued to be promoted with IBM which took him to San Jose CA, White Plains New York and eventually south to Raleigh, NC. He retired after thirty-six years from IBM.

Howard resided in Cary, NC where he met and married Leah “Arlene” Yates. They were happily married for twenty-four years.

Howard enjoyed fishing, golf, and gardening. He was a member of Colonial Baptist Church where he attended Sunday School and Church.

In November of 2020 Howard relocated back to the Atlanta area to be near his children. Where they loved on him and cared for him. He was able to spend quality time with his entire family as well as get to know his great grandchildren.

At the age of 91, Jesus took Howard home. He will be buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Harrodsburg, Kentucky beside his parents and grandparents and many other generations of Cunninghams.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. This is an important cause to the family as his mother, sister, and wife all passed from Alzheimer’s.

A visitation will be held on May 17, 2023, at McDonald and Son Funeral Home, from 4:00pm-6:30pm. A service will follow at 6:30 in the visitation room.

Burial will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, on May 19, 2023, at 11:00AM. 

Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899