JAMES DAVID CUNNINGHAM

1944 - 2021

June 3, 1944 - February 22, 2021 James David Cunningham, an executive with Palm Springs Disposal Services and Desert Valley Disposal for more than 40 years, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of February 22, 2021 after a lengthy battle with cancer. At the time of his passing, he was in the comforting arms of family at his home in Palm Springs.Jim was raised on Lido Island in Newport Beach and was a 1962 graduate of Newport Harbor High School. As lead guitar, he formed a band with close friends and fellow surfers, Tom Fitzgerald (drums), Kent Anderson (bass) and Steve McAnlis (rhythm guitar). They were joined by Bill Joiner (piano), Jerry Kavalec (sax) and Bob Brown (vocals). Later Don Ross replaced Anderson and Robby Sheets replaced McAnlis.Inspired by the legendary Dick Dale, the Newport Nomads became a staple in the Southern California surf scene. They replaced Dale and his band as the lead band at the Rendezvous Ballroom on the Balboa Peninsula, playing before packed houses. They toured the East Coast in the mid-1960s before returning home to Southern California and disbanding, each going their separate ways. You can find two of their iconic songs, "Harem Bells" and "Blue Mallard", on YouTube. The band was featured in a recent publication, "Surfin' Guitars - Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties."Following his career as a musician Jim was a local landscape contractor for several years before joining his father-in-law's business, Jaycox Disposal, in Anaheim. Jim moved to the Desert in 1978 and, along with family members and partners Ray Wade and Michael Jaycox, acquired Palm Springs Disposal Services (formerly Waste Disposal Services), serving Palm Springs and Desert Valley Disposal serving Desert Hot Springs and the County area. Jim's core business belief was that customers are to receive the courteous service and prompt attention due them. He was also committed to their companies giving back to the community by generously supporting local service organizations and charities.Having a life-ling passion for golf, Jim was a long-time member of the Indian Canyon Country Club old course in Palm Springs and more recently the Palm Springs O'Donnell Golf Club. On or off the golf course, Jim easily became a lasting friend to everyone he met.Jim will be remembered not only as a great guitarist and community member, but also as a fun-loving man with a quick sense of humor. Family gatherings were legendary, as he and his siblings would share stories of their youth. Jim's great sense of humor and perpetual clowning around will be forever remembered by his family and friends. Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lissa and their three children - daughter Andrea Dodson and her son Kyle; son Christopher Cunningham and his wife Adriane and their three children Shaylee, Titus and Connor; and, son Jason Cunningham and his son, Brody. He is also survived by his siblings - Susan West (Geoff), Lawrence Cunningham (Connie) and Robert Cunningham (Barbara).Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, services are pending.