John Carey Cunningham

CEDAR CREEK, Texas - John Carey Cunningham, 54, of Cedar Creek, Texas, and a former resident of Benson, Vt., died July 21, 2009 in Texas.

He was born Dec. 27, 1954, in Rutland, the son of Michael McEnery and Dr. Joan Carey Cunningham.

Mr. Cunningham graduated from Fair Haven Union High School in 1972.

He grew up in Benson on the Trinity Farm. Following his schooling he relocated to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts where he was employed as a carpenter for several years. He moved to Colorado were he was employed in the construction industry. Later he relocated to Texas were he established Cunningham Transmission in Bastrop.

Mr. Cunningham was a member of the Heritage Farm and Church in Waco, Texas.

He enjoyed beekeeping, raising cattle and gardening.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Ellen Salvatore Cunningham; 10 children, Aurora, William, Andrew, Amy, Samuel, Michael, Sarah, Jessie, Simeon, and Ezra, all of Waco, Texas; his mother of Benson; five sisters, Maria Cunningham of Benson, Tina Cunningham of Fairfield, Susan Cunningham of Plymouth, Mass., Barbara Cunningham of Middlebury and Ann Mathieu of Cambridge, N.Y.; three brothers Stephen Cunningham of Addison, David Cunningham of Benson and Dr. Michael Cunningham of Seattle, Wash., his grandmother, Nancy Price Carey of Benson; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father in 1971.

A memorial service was held July 26 in Benson at the Christ Sun of Justice Church built by his grandfather, Arthur Graham Carey. Graveside services were held July 29 in the Fairview Cemetery in Bastrop, Texas.

Memorial donations may be made to Cunningham Children's Fund, c/o Dr. Joan Carey Cunningham, Trinity Farm, Route 22A, Fair Haven, VT 05743.

View the guest book at www.rutlandherald.com/ obits.