James McCaulay Cunningham

OBITUARY JAMES MCCAULAY CUNNINGHAM James McCaulay Cunningham, age 33 of Overland Park, KS, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2006 at the Specialty Hospital Of Mid-American in Overland Park after a brief illness. He was born in Springfield, MO on July 10, 1973 the son of Frank Dale Cunningham and Wanda Jeanette Bunting Cunningham. The following are thoughts from his family about James. McDonald's hamburgers, French fries, and coke-especially when he was younger! When he moved to Faith Village, he became a fan of Taco Bell, and loved to go there to eat-which was always a treat to him! He loved pumpkin pie-especially at Thanksgiving time; chocolate cake, Reeses' Candy bars; Sprite; He loved presents. He loved to open them, at Christmas and birthday times, and special occasions. He loved to go shopping-especially for clothes, and would "Ooo" and "Ah" over the handsome and pretty clothes! He loved soft things, and would stroke soft things with tenderness, and say "s-o-f-t"....For a time, he loved to exercise daily in his room with VHS exercise videos; and wouldn't hake any phone calls while he was busy exercising! That was "his time". He loved to watch movies all of his life. He especially had some favorite movies which he would watch, over & over & over-never tiring of them. He loved Batman, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Godzilla, to name a few! He loved to go to chapel every day after work, which was held every weekday when he would return to the home after working 6 hours in the Sheltered Workshop. He rarely missed chapel services. He loved to sing Jesus Loves Me at chapel. And, he was always the last to leave the chapel every day! He loved to tease the staff in his home where he lived, and developed some very close relationships with the attendants there. The doted on him, giving him special opportunities to do things, like help bake cookies in the kitchen! They would save him special slices of pumpkin pie and prepare milk shakes for him! He loved pretty things. He rarely complained about anything. He went camping with his Mom to Colorado, for one week when he was 10 years. Mom says they slept in a tent and cooked out. James enjoyed it, but wasn't much help! He loved to play video games and play "Go Fish" card game with friends and family. He loved Jesus. He was baptized (after attending 3 years of Confirmation Classes at the home) into the Bethany Lutheran Home in August, 2000. James grew up in Bolivar and attended Special Education classed until he was 21 years old. Mother and Dad started him in special schools in Springfield, MO when he was 2 years old to help him with developmental skills. They drove him 150 miles a day for 2-3 years (Mom taking him the mornings and Dad in the afternoons; then, finally he rode with some friends for awhile.) James was born with Down's Syndrome. He had no history of heart problems until 3 weeks ago when he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. When he was 4-5 years old, he loved to ride his low rider trike until he wore it out. Mom bought his a regular tricycle, but he would not ride it. He always had some balance problems, and didn't like anything affecting his balance! James loved music. He loved "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog"! He flew out to see Mom several times on direct flights to Salt Lake City, to Texas and Colorado. He handled travel quite well! Jody, his brother, recalls the time spent with James in the hospital these last few days as being very special to him. James loved to dump out the dirt in potted plants, so Mom went to hanging plants in the home! He loved to play in his sandbox, and sometimes spent hours there! Surviving is his father, Frank D. Cunningham and wife Stella of Bolivar, MO; his mother, Jeanette Cunningham of Houston, TX; one sister, Holly Hatfield and husband Kevin of Overland Park, KS and two brothers, Joseph Cunningham and wife Donna of Waco, TX; and Dr. Andrew Cunningham of Walnut Grove, MO. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 2:00 PM in the First Baptist Church in Bolivar with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. A second funeral services was held on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 2:00 PM at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Overland Park, KS with Pastor Ervin Daughtery officiating. Burial was in the Shawnee Mission Memorial Gardens in Shawnee, KS under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics, % Butler Funeral Home, 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, MO 65613 or the Faith Village, 14150 W. 113th St., Overland Park, KS 66215. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

James McCaulay Cunningham

July 10, 1973 - December 1, 2006