Richard Ellis Cunningham

Richard (Dick) Cunningham passed peacefully at McGraw Hospice on January 15th with his son by his side, visited by his friends and family and passed knowing how much he was loved. Dick was predeceased by his beloved wife of 42 years, Margret Cunningham earlier this year. He is survived by 3 children, daughters, Cecilia Remy (Earl), Shannon Boahn (Ron), son Brian Lewis, two grandchildren (Hunter Boahn and Nick Lopez) and one sister, CJ Stryker. He is also predeceased by 3 siblings, Donna Waites (Ron), Skippy Alonga (Frank) and Julia Ann.

Dick AKA (Dickster) is the epitome of service to his country. He graduated from high school in Jacksonville Florida and enlisted in the local US Marine Corps Reserve Unit. After finishing his USMCR enlistment, he enlisted in the US Army for active duty as an airborne infantry trooper and volunteered for Vietnam. After Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, SC, he went to Ft. Benning, GA for Advanced Individual Training where he also completed Airborne and Pathfinder schools. In Vietnam, Dick was assigned to the 11th Pathfinder Company, 1st Cavalry Division. After he finished his original deployment, he then re-enlisted for two additional 6-month tours. Dick is in the Pathfinder Hall of Fame for his teams’ night combat jump to establish LZ (landing zone) Moon during the Cavalry’s Airmobile operation in the IA-Drang Valley. The operation was the battle of LZ – Xray. This operation was depicted in the Mel Gibson movie, "We were soldiers" - Our Dad lived this! 

After returning from Viet Nam, he enlisted in a 40 plus year career as a Marine Insurance Underwriter, working with Old Dominion, New Hampshire, Aetna Insurance Company, and Beale Marine and Casualty. He made so many lifelong friends during his career and wanted them to know how much he loved and appreciated them.

Additionally, during his career as an underwriter, he joined a reserve Special Forces Group (Abn) and earned his Green Beret. He was qualified as a Special Forces light and heavy weapons sergeant on Operational Detachment A-314, CoA, 3rd Bn, 11 SFG which was the only HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) and Underwater Operations detachment within the 11th Group. There is nothing that Dick loved more than jumping out of an airplane and Scuba diving with his son Brian or his Special Forces buddies. Dick looked forward to and rarely missed going to his 11th Pathfinder Company reunions. 

A Memorial Service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025 in Quinn Shalz Funeral Home located at 3600 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Richard to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).

As George S Patton said, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men that died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived".

May the Pathfinder torch lead the way to your next chapter. SEMPER PRIMUS.