Jerry Dale Cunningham

Funeral services for Jerry Dale Cunningham, 86, of Cleburne, Texas will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2025 at The Heights Church with Pastor Kody Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Rosehill Cemetery with Caleb Cunningham, Joshua Cunningham, Caden Cunningham, Seth Cunningham, Kyle Cunningham, Bryce Cunningham, Dylan Cunningham, and Calvin Cunningham serving as pallbearers.Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, at Rosser Funeral Home.Jerry Dale Cunningham, 86, of Cleburne, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, December 20, 2025. He was born at his home in Bryson, Texas, on October 22, 1939, one of ten children born to Charles Llewellan Cunningham and Doris Brown Blair.

A four-sport, four-year letterman and graduate of Jacksboro High School, Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas. It was there he decided to follow his brothers-Don, Kenny, and Ernie-into a career in coaching. Jerry married Donna Lee Frank on December 26, 1961, and began his coaching journey at Brewer High School. For the next 45 years, God used Jerry to impact, influence, and transform lives through the game of football and the development of young men of character.

Coach Cunningham was an integral part of many legendary teams in Garland, Grand Prairie, Texas City, DeSoto, Cleburne, and Cedar Hill. His career highlights include serving as an assistant coach for the back-to-back State Champion Garland Owls in 1963 and 1964, and as the head coach for the 1992 and 1993 TAPPS AAA State Champion Trinity Christian Cedar Hill. From 1984 to 1988, Coach Cunningham led the Cleburne Yellowjackets to a 48-12-1 record, capturing four District Championships and reaching both the State Quarterfinals and Semi-finals.

Throughout his career, Coach Cunningham founded or strengthened Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddles at every school he served. His heart for young people and ministry led him and his family to Pleasant Hills Children's Home, where he served as Director for four years before returning to the sidelines at DeSoto High School in 1978.

"Pawpaw," as he was known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a committed member of The Heights Church in Cleburne for 43 years. There, he served as a deacon, teacher, and a faithful member of the prayer ministry. He possessed a love for people that could only come from the God he served, living out his faith by volunteering several times a week at Operation Blessing. Jerry also carried a deep, lifelong passion for Israel and the Jewish people that led to years of study and teaching others about God and His chosen people.

While these achievements mark his life, they only begin to describe who he was as a son, brother, husband, father, coach, and friend. The full extent of the lives Jerry Cunningham impacted and the legacy he leaves behind will only truly be known in eternity.

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna Lee Cunningham; his parents; his brothers, Charles, Richard, Ernie, Robert, Don, Kenny, and Jimmy; and his sisters, Edna Galloway and Sue Oliver.

He is survived by his children: Curtis Cunningham and wife LeeAnn; Chris Cunningham and wife Dana; Ken Cunningham and wife Schuyler; Duff Cunningham and wife Valerie; and Kandace Cunningham Ross.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kristin Schumann (Matt), Kyle Cunningham (Ashley), Chelsea Barina (Caleb), Caleb Cunningham (Caitlee), Seth Cunningham (Jon Teverbaugh), Emma Eum (Stephen), Kailey Cunningham, Dylan Cunningham (Hannah), Joshua Cunningham (Claire), Bryce Cunningham, Calvin Cunningham, Caden Cunningham, Garrett Hudson (Kinley) and Hailey Hudson; and great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Abigail, and Hannah Schumann; Price, Lincoln, and Ford Cunningham; Llewelyn and Frances Eum; Lincoln Duff and Layla Cunningham; and Sadie Barina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jerry Dale Cunningham to:

Operation Blessing

105 George Street

Cleburne, TX 76031