Donald “Don” Cunningham

Ava, Missouri

Donald Wayne Cunningham, 89 years, 8 months, 11 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on April 14, 2026, at his home, with his wife and family by his side.

Don was born August 3, 1936, in McClurg, Missouri, to Thomas Monroe and Clella (Jones) Cunningham. He grew up mostly in Douglas County, Missouri, and graduated from Ava High School in 1955.

On December 19, 1958, Don and Carol Jean Millard were united in marriage in Macomb, Missouri, by the Reverend Oscar Cunningham and were blessed with two children, Craig and Janet.

He was a retired auto body repair mechanic and owned Cunningham Body Shop. He also had a successful horse breeding operation and raised champion Missouri Fox Trotters and served as a judge for shows in several states. Don had the honor of being inducted into the Missouri Fox Trotters Hall of Fame. He and Carol loved working with their horses, and she would show many. In addition, he was a founding member of the Douglas County Fox Trotters.

Don enjoyed people and loved teasing and joking with them. He never knew a stranger.

He was a Christian and a member of Cowboy Church at Macomb.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Clella.

Don is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Craig (Debbie) Cunningham, Janet Cunningham, and Linda Shaddy; grandchildren, Andrea, Ean, and Zackery; six great grandchildren; brother and wife, Dallas and Glenda Cunningham; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and many special friends.

A memorial service for Don will be Saturday April 25, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel Ava, Missouri a visitation will be prior to the service from 1:30 P.M.to 2:00 P.M. Officiating will be Pastor Rick Spacek. Family requests memorials be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.