Monte Tom Cunningham

Monte Tom Cunningham was born in Goliad, TX on July 26, 1931 and passed away at his home in Cumming, Ga on November 7, 2022. During the great depression his family lived over their grocery store where they served farmers and cowboys alike. This humble beginning gave Monte a repertoire of many stories that he later enjoyed telling. His father died when Monte was seven, leaving four children, the youngest being nine months old. At that time, Monte started working odd jobs to help support the family. He graduated from high school at 16, having been involved in track and football, and he hitchhiked to Texas A&I University with only a change of clothes and his cleats hanging over his shoulders. He participated in many clubs and social activities while earning a degree in mathematics education. He joined the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1953 and was assigned to a duty station at MIT for meteorology training to become a weather forecaster. He first served as a forecaster at Connally Air Force Base in Waco, TX and then transferred to Laon Air Force Base in France where he excelled in and enjoyed his assignment . He was released from active duty in 1957 as a 1st Lieutenant and entered the reserves at Langley Air Force base where he was promoted to Captain. He began his employment as a systems analyst with NACA located at Langley in 1957.

Monte met Carolyn at a Methodist Church singles dance and they married on November 24,1957. They were transferred to what is now known as the Johnson Spacecraft Center in Houston,TX. He began working on the Gemini and Apollo Space programs and quickly advanced to Branch Chief. He continued in the Air Force Reserves at Ellington until 1967. In 1973 he transferred to Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, retiring there in 1982. Monte and Carolyn then moved to Manchester, TN and he began working for AEDC. Next, he and Carolyn moved to Huntsville, AL where he worked for Northrup-Grumman. From there they moved to Knoxville, TN where he worked at the Y-12 Complex and went on special assignment to the IRS in Washington DC before retiring. Monte and Carolyn moved to Spartanburg, SC in 2003, then Cumming, GA in 2016 to be closer to their grandchildren. Monte was preceded in death by Carolyn in 2019. He is survived by daughters Joan (Matthew) Hughes, Laura Cunningham, and Cheryl Kells, grandchildren Matthew Winter, Kristen (Austin) Graham, and Nathan Kells, beloved sisters-in-law Totsy Cunningham and Eula Robbins, many nieces and nephews, and his faithful canine companion Cole.

Throughout Monte's lifetime, his gregarious personality attracted many friends. He was involved in his community by becoming a member of his local Methodist churches and the Kiwanis Club. He supported his children's and grandchildren's school activities, including Veteran's Day. He remained true to his small town values and his love of telling jokes, sharing stories, DIY repairs, working crossword puzzles, and watching western TV shows. In his final days he told his doctor and family, "I have lived a wonderful life!"

His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 4:00 in a Stateroom of McDonald and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, Georgia.