Grover Francis Cunningham

Grover Francis Cunningham, age 96 of San Antonio, Texas passed away on December 11, 2016. Grover was born November 12, 1920 in Nezperce, Idaho, the son of Don and Emma Cunningham. Grover's family then moved to Salem, Oregon and finally settled in Sunburst, Montana where he was raised and graduated from Sunburst High School.

In May 1942 while living in Los Angeles, California Grover enlisted in the US Army. Grover served with the 12th Armored Division, 17th Armored Infantry Battalion during WWII. Grover and the 12th Armored Division were committed to US 7th Army in Lorrain near the Maginot Line, participated in an assault of the German Rhine bridgehead at Gambsheim, and suffered massive casualties in the battle at Herrlisheim. After recovery, the 12th Armored Division was attached to 1st French Army to liberate Colmar Pocket, the last of French soil held by the Germans. The 12th Armored Division was then transferred to US 3rd Army to spearhead George Patton's "Drive to the Rhine". In 2014 the French Government awarded Grover the medal of Knight in the French Order of the Legion of Honor, in recognition of his contribution to the liberation of France during WWII.

After returning from the war in Europe Grover traveled to Port Arthur, Texas where he met and married Barbara Fay Stansbury in April 1948. Together they moved to Austin, Texas where Grover attended the University of Texas and graduated in 1952 with a B.A. in bacteriology. Grover worked as a microbiologist from 1952 to 1956 in the Texas State Branch Laboratory in Port Arthur Texas, and from 1956 to 1983 as a supervisory microbiologist for the Department of Pathology and Area Laboratory Services at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. In 1962 Grover received his Master's degree in Biological Sciences from Trinity University. Grover was very active in scouting and enjoyed camping. Fully devoted to his family, Grover especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Dachshunds and home grown tomatoes were close to his heart.

Grover is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Barbara Fay; brothers Dwayne Cunningham, Ronald Cunningham and Robert Cunningham. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Elizabeth Cunningham; daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Joseph Hartman; son, Jerry Cunningham; son, Michael Cunningham; son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Sherrah Cunningham; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Anne Cunningham; daughter, Susan Roguz; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Thomas Collins; eighteen grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST

MASS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

10:30 A.M.

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH

8134 BLANCO RD.

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.