John Francis Cunningham

A visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, with a funeral service at 11 a.m., at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel. Military honors and interment will follow at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction.

He is survived by his wife Emma; a daughter Virginia Brown of Grand Junction; a son Christopher of Loveland; two grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to the Grand Junction Centennial Band, P.O. Box 687, Grand Junction 81502.

John Francis Cunningham, Jr (5th) Professional Engineer, of Grand Junction, Colorado passed away January 26, 2015, at University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City after a massive stroke. His dry sense of humor, world travels, and faith in God’s plan are well noted by family & friends. He enjoyed 73 years.

In youth, John dreamed of “gigging” with his saxophone and clarinet; his parents encouraged him to “find a real job.” Upon graduation from West High School in Denver, he attended the Colorado School of Mines and served in the US Army. During his service, he skipped exercise drills to go to band tryouts. Though John intentionally flubbed his actual audition, the band director assigned him to the band as John had displayed his true talent “getting down” with an Army saxophone in the warm up area.

John, born in Denver an only child, was close to many beloved cousins. He spent time in Alaska, California, and Hawaii before returning to Colorado in December 1965. He moved to Grand Junction with his late wife Bonnie (Franson) and family in 1966 at the request of Jim Burke to start “Burke and Associates” a professional engineering firm. John became the principal of “Burke Associates Consulting Engineers” in 1988 with specializations in HVAC, Electrical, Mechanical, Solar, Oil & Gas, and Coal Mining. Most recently, he taught at Western Colorado Community College.

John married Emma Beatty in 1991 at Northeast Christian Church. He was most recently a member of Canyon West Worship Center.

John was a member of Demolay and Saber Auto Clubs as a youth, Civitan International, assisted in Boy Scouts for the benefit of his step-sons Chris and Shon in the 1970’s and early 80’s, church deacon, American Consulting Engineers Council - Colorado board member, and was very active in Grand Junction Centennial Band (GJCB). John, an ardent philanthropist, gave time and money to his church, local non-profits and Grand Junction Centennial Band.

Proceeded in death by parents John and Virginia Cunningham; first wife, Bonnie; and step-son, Shon Cunningham. He is survived by his wife, Emma Cunningham; daughter Virginia (Larry) Brown; grandchildren, Tim & Hannah Breckon; along with his favorite grand pups, Carmel and Shelby. Also survived by step-son, Christopher (Kim) Cunningham; step-grandchildren, Kelly (Andy) Tilton & Justin (Janice) Brown, 11 great-grandchildren (Amar, Alayah, Kilee, Cole, Aden, Chase, Caitlyn, Nathan, Evelyn, Olivia, and Luke,) and many great grand puppies, including a beautiful blue heeler named Asoka.

John’s life will be celebrated at Callahan-Edfast in Grand Junction on February 3 at 11 am. Public visitation will precede the service at 9 am. Burial with military honors follows at Veterans Cemetery, 1 pm sharp, with a reception at Roper Music Ballroom from 2 to approx 5. Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Junction Centennial Band (a local 501-C-3), PO Box 687, Grand Junction, CO 81502.