David R. “Dave” Cunningham

David “Dave” Robert Cunningham, 71, of Williamstown, WV, passed away suddenly at his home on February 4, 2020. David had fought bravely for many years to overcome numerous medical challenges including multiple myeloma, diabetes, and heart disease.
David was born in Weston, WV on January 13, 1949 to Robert Morgan Cunningham and Mary Eloise (Peninegar) Cunningham.
David was an active participant in Boy Scouts during his youth, notably participating in The West Virginia Centennial Parade of Flags in Washington, D.C. during President Kennedy’s tenure. He served on the staff of Boy Scout Camp Mountaineer as an orienteering instructor. David achieved the rank of an Eagle Scout on May 4, 1964, receiving his pin from his parents.
David graduated in 1966 from Mannington High School in Mannington, WV. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Fairmont State College in 1970 and a Master of Arts degree in Biology from West Virginia University in 1971.
David spent thirty years in administration at Parkersburg Community College (later WVU at Parkersburg). His positions ranged from Director of Student Activities, overseeing intramurals and entertainment events, such as Miss PCC and Miss West Virginia Beauty Pageants, and supervising billiards and weightlifting competitions. He managed the booking and production of a variety of entertainment, such as comedians, magicians, and musical acts. As Director of College Services, he was responsible for managing all facility operations, including security, grounds crews, maintenance staff, and construction. After having overseen the expansion of the main campus building, unofficially dedicated as The Cunningham Center in 1989, and the construction of the Caperton Center for Applied Technology, he retired in 2006.
David’s retirement pursuits revolved around his family. “Poppy” attended every sports game, every performance, and every awards ceremony of his seven grandchildren. Those were his happy places and the only activities he really kept track of. He insists that he had no hobbies, but he loved watching movies, watching sports, and spending time with his grandkids.
Surviving are his two children Carrie Read (Aaron) of Parkersburg, WV and Rob Cunningham (Stephanie) of Westerville, OH, his seven grandchildren Mackenzie, Luke, Abby, and Jack Read of Parkersburg, and Allie, Evan, and Addie Cunningham of Westerville; and his sister Susan Cunningham Wyatt of Woodbridge, VA. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Morgan Cunningham and mother Mary Eloise Cunningham, and most recently his beloved wife Jody Cunningham.
Visitation will be held on Monday February 10th, 2020 from 4:00 to 6:00 at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home, 314 Fourth St. Marietta OH. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday February 11th, 2020 at 2:00pm with one hour of visitation prior to the ceremony. A private burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Williamstown, WV. Messages of sympathy may be sent to www.Lankfordfh.com.
Please consider donating to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) and/or The American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org) to help fund research to find cures.