Paul Willard Cunningham

Paul Willard Cunningham, 95, was born December 5, 1916 in Houston, Texas and passed away September 20, 2012 in Baytown, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florine Cunningham, second wife, Genive Cunningham, parents, Clarence and Josephine Cunningham, brothers Milton Cunningham, Charlie Cunningham, Johnny Cunningham, and Joe Cunningham, and sister Margaret Guest.

He is survived by his sister, Mildred Ivey of Houston, sons, Paul Cunningham and wife, Rita of Willis, Don Cunningham and wife, Pat of Baytown. He is also survived by grandchildren David Cunningham, Jarrod Cunningham, Paula Jackson, and Josh Cunningham and nine great grandchildren.

Paul moved to Baytown on April Fool's Day, 1937 and got a job delivering ice. He did that for several years and became known as ""Ice Boy"" around town. On February 22, 1941, He married Florine Green. In 1943, he went to work for Humble Oil and Refining Co., now ExxonMobil. On April 22, 1943, He and Florine had identical twin boys, Paul and Don. Three or four months later, Paul was drafted into the U.S. Navy, and was stationed in San Diego, California. Through the Red Cross, he was able to get a hardship discharge because of the babies. Paul was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945. He continued his career as a rigger at ExxonMobil until his retirement in 1959. Afterwards, he went to work for A.J. Mundy and worked there for 18 years. Just before he retired, his first wife, Florine, passed away in 1981. Later in 1981, Paul became a Christian. You could tell his life had changed. At the time of his death, he was a member of Cedar Bayou Baptist Church in Baytown, Texas.

In April of 1982, Paul married his second wife, Genive Martin. Paul and Genive loved to travel and they served at Maranatha Temple in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Genive developed health problems and passed away in October of 2009. Following that, Paul returned to Cedar Bayou Baptist Church in Baytown. Paul will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be held at Memory Gardens on Garth Rd. in Baytown, Friday, September 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Don Cunningham officiating.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.