James Donald "Don" Cunningham
April 5, 1941 ~ January 23, 2023
Born in:
Brevard, NC
Resided in:
Black Mountain, NC
James Donald “Don” Cunningham passed away on January 23, 2023, at the VA Hospital in Asheville, NC.
Don was born to Robert Glenn Cunningham and Maxine Barton Cunningham on April 5, 1941. He was raised in Henderson County and was a graduate of the Hendersonville high school class of 1959; proud Bearcat all of his life. He attended both Western Carolina and East Tennessee State Universities. He served in the US Air Force for four years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Robert Glenn Cunningham.
Don is survived by his son, Christopher (Joanna) Cunningham; his daughter, Laura (Chris) Crawford; granddaughters, Kayla and Allyson Cunningham; and grandson, Hunter Crawford. Other survivors include four sisters, Barbara Harmon (Russ), Sarah Thibodeau (Evans), Diane Israel (David), and Cyndi Schachter (Fred). Three nieces and four nephews are also left to treasure wonderful times with Uncle Don.
Don was an avid fisherman and gardener. He spent many happy years working at Jesse Israel and Son’s Nursery. He continued to garden at the State Veterans home where he lived for the last 10 years. His family will be forever grateful for the love and care he was given there.
Don was outgoing, charismatic, first to laugh, and was loved by anyone that knew him. He never met a stranger.
He accepted people as they were, never had an unkind word about anyone, saw the best in others, and was always proud of the achievements earned by his friends and family. He will be missed.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, January 27 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with burial to follow at Shepherd Memorial Park. His family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00 AM until the service begins at 12:00 PM.
Services
Funeral Service: January 27, 2023 12:00 pm
Room: Chapel
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Visitation: January 27, 2023 11:00 am - January 20, 2025 12:00 pm
Room: Chapel
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Donnie was a dear cousin and such a sweet man.
I hope that now you are at rest and are having a grand reunion with my dad, as well as Grandma and Grandpa. Uncle Don, you will never be forgotten.
Brad
So sorry for your lost. Don was friendly, smart and funny. He was a great person and good to everyone. We will miss seeing him and talking to him in the halls.
So sorry about Donnie’s passing. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Thinking of him brings back many fond memories of childhood visits with your family.
Although I was only a friend, I am proud to consider Mr. Cunningham my Uncle Don. He taught me a great deal about keeping life in perspective and appreciating its many blessings, and to not forget to celebrate the good times. I’ll always remember his firm handshake, kindness, and of course his laugh.
Praying for yall
Lonnie and I always counted Don as a friend and are sorry for his passing. I know you all, his family, will miss him. May he live on in memories of all who loved him.