Mark Allen Cunningham

Mark Allen Cunningham, 65, of Cornelius, North Carolina passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025. He was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, son of the late John and Jeannine Cunningham. He was the youngest of three siblings and father of two children.

Mark proudly served in the Army briefly as an Airborne Paratrooper before beginning his career in the automotive industry. As a quality engineer, Mark’s career spanned over 30 years from supporting the production of superchargers to working in the highest level of American motorsports. Working in and managing quality labs for NASCAR teams, Mark’s years in race shops were some of his fondest, beginning with Red Bull Racing and culminating in his time with Joe Gibbs Racing (and a couple of Championship rings that Mark would only occasionally don for special moments).

He is survived by his two loving children, Kelsey (Wezly) Barnard, Atlanta, Georgia, and Alex (Elizabeth) Cunningham, Charlotte, North Carolina, along with his eldest brother, John (Terri) Cunningham, Gallipolis, Ohio. He was adored by his granddaughter Charlotte Jeannine Barnard (2), who will miss her “Papa Marky.” Mark was blessed with nieces Sarah (Beau) Sang and Hannah (Chuck) Calvert, and was a proud Great Uncle to Jack, Will, Ruby, and Theo. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jim Cunningham.

Mark spent the last twenty years of his life in North Carolina, where he developed a community of dedicated and loyal friends; he also held lifelong friendships with a small and special group from his childhood and early adulthood in Ohio. The family would like to thank his Charlotte-area friends and groups for their special role in his life, and his close friends from Ohio, of whom he held very dear.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 10:00 am at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am in the chapel at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home.

The family will hold a celebration of life reception following the funeral service at approximately 12:30, following funeral service at Lake House Wine Bar & Grill. Address: 18665 Harborside Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031