John Allen Cunningham

John Allen Cunningham’s beautiful soul was born October 10, 1955, in Denver, Colorado to Clell I. Cunningham and Zora L. (Killough) Cunningham. He was raised in Brighton, Colorado, where his parents were long-time elementary teachers. John’s caring presence on earth ended too soon in a tragic car accident on November 14, 2022.

John graduated from Brighton High School in 1973. He remained close to numerous friends. John earned his undergraduate degree in psychology and master’s degree in special education from the University of Northern Colorado. Later he would complete an administrative certification from the University of Wyoming. He worked in education for 33 years in Wyoming as a teacher and a principal in Goshen County School District and Laramie County School District #1. In 2015, John received the Wyoming Assistant Principal of the year. He returned to Brighton in 2017 to be close to family, where he volunteered at hospice, Meals on Wheels, and 11th hour.

John and Shannon Walter married in 2012, uniting two families with children, Clay Cunningham, Buster Cunningham, Kelley Winkle-Bryan, and Alexander Walter. 

John was multi-talented and determined. He learned to play the piano as an adult and continued to learn one or two songs every month, which he would share with family via YouTube. He was an avid reader and enjoyed swapping books with friends and family. He loved music, prowling art museums, watching birds, rooting for Denver sports teams, detailing cars, and traveling escapades with Shannon. But mostly, he just enjoyed time with family and friends. John’s love of people was always very evident. He had a way of making people feel valued and loved. “We are on this Earth to help, love, and care about each other” was his motto, and he embodied it fully.

He is preceded in death by parents, son Alex and niece Darla Dinkel. He is survived by Shannon, his wife, sons Clay (Ashley), Buster (Maureen), daughter Kelley (Justin) and Emmaline.  His siblings Catherine Cray (Kevin), Nance Cunningham (Howard Stein), Marilyn Casey (Jim), Joyce Gerstenberger (Dave Connor) and Skip Cunningham (Joan). He adored his grandchildren Miles, Zora, Jonah, Luke and Luna, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bristol Hospice--Northern Colorado, 3770 Puritan Way, Unit E, Fredrick, Colorado 80516 or Meals on Wheels, 1150 Prairie Center Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601. John loved his volunteer work with these groups.

John’s Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 20, at Tabor-Rice Funeral Home, 75 S. 13th Ave., Brighton CO. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00, with a reception after the service. Interment will be held November 22 at noon at Elmwood Cemetery.

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