Elijah Carl Cunningham

Elijah Carl Cunningham, 24, went into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 8, 1999 to Paul Cunningham and Lisa (Miner) Cunningham. His family and friends called him Eli.

Eli attended Green Park Lutheran Grade School and Lutheran South High School, class of 2017. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2021 from Missouri University of Science and Technology with a degree in chemical engineering.

His family and friends valued his loyalty, strong work ethic, service, caring heart and wit. Known for being on the quiet side, Eli was fiercely determined, observant, diligent and thoughtful. He listened to classic rock and enjoyed hunting, movies, hitting golf balls, sand volleyball, softball and shooting pool. He spent hours online playing video games with cousins who lived out of state.

Eli embraced the opportunity to try something new, whether teaching himself the guitar, learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu, chess or riding a motorcycle. In 2023 he moved to Memphis where he enjoyed a new job as a production engineer at Mitsubishi Chemical.

We could always rely on his chef talents and voracious appetite. As a kid he made lunch for his brothers - grilled cheese was his specialty - and over the years mastered beef Wellington for the holidays. He had the ability to clean his plate like no other, and made it a point to try new foods at every chance. He was a lover of grandma's pretzels and his beer of choice was Busch Light.

Beta Sigma Psi fraternity was his home during college. There he served in a variety of leadership positions including as "steward" where his culinary skills came in handy and his promises of delicious soup were made real. Considered "wicked smart" by so many in his life, Eli was also scholarship chair and supported the brothers in their academics and with mentoring.

Eli was fortunate to have many friends. Among them since childhood are Mitchel and Carl who will fondly remember him for being a truly good and loyal friend. They knew he could be counted on to be a wonderful listener, winning chess player, furniture mover and someone who would help with physics homework for the low price of a cheeseburger in return. In college he met Elliott who together they played in the Beta Sigma Psi band and loved playing 90s rock on their guitars. Eli was best man at Elliot's wedding.

Eli was loved and adored beyond measure by his family. He thrived spending time with grandparents, aunts and uncles and happy hours were best spent with Grandpa Keith on the front porch sipping bourbon. But the real magic happened when he and his beloved cousins were together. He was always down for a whiffle ball game, watching movies and tubing at the lake. Family vacations, where he had a near-permanent grin on his face, will forever be core memories and a highlight of our lives.

Brothers Luke, Gabe and Eli had an exceptional bond. It's nearly impossible to say one of their names without also saying Eli's. They challenged and supported one another, made their own mischief and further linked themselves with matching tattoos. He proudly welcomed his new sister-in-law and niece to the family last year and was warmly anticipating the arrival of a nephew this April. Together the Cunningham three provided their mother with so much love, care and respect.

Eli left the world entirely too soon and is confidently with Jesus. Those who love him are better for it and will keep his memory alive.

A celebration of life to honor Eli will be held on Saturday, March 2nd at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church 5252 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St Louis, MO. Visitation from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.; memorial service at 11. Luncheon to follow on-site. The family is establishing a scholarship in Eli's memory that will support the academic success of the members of Eli's fraternity, Beta Sigma Psi - Eta Chapter. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation via check to Lisa Cunningham, 3886 Tahquitz Drive, St. Louis, MO 63125 or Venmo @LisaMinerCunningham.