Denny Doane Cunningham

He was born on September 17th, 1936, in Des Moines Iowa to Ilene Cunningham (Vandenburg) and Virgil Cunningham. He was raised and graduated high school in Des Moines. In 1956 he joined the United States Air Force.Denny met Linne'a White in 1958, and they were married in 1960. They had two children, Matt and Melanie Cunningham.

Denny was proud to serve in the Air Force and was stationed at several SAC Air Force bases in the United States and Puerto Rico. Denny was a Boom Operator on the KC 135 refueling tanker that refueled B52 bombers, F10 and F4 fighter bombers. He served in Vietnam and had over 8000 total flying hours. Including 200 combat support missions, 75 of those were under hostile fire, all of which he acquired several service medals. Denny retired at the rank of Master Sargent in 1976 after 20 years of service and making many great friends and an Air Force family that lasted a lifetime. Denny was a lifetime member of the VFW and loyal supporter of the Disabled American Veterans.

After retirement from the Air Force Denny and Linnea owned and operated their own business named Cunningham Flooring in Sturgis South Dakota. They sold and installed flooring along with window and wall treatments. They sold their business in 1998 and moved to Greeley Colorado to be closer to children and grandchildren. Denny and Linne'a enjoyed 50 happy years of marriage, raising children, adventures traveling, playing pinochle and making memories with family, friends and an extensive Air Force family before Linne'as passing in 2010.

Denny then met the second love of his life Elizabeth Hutson and started another amazing chapter of his life. They were married in May of 2014 and enjoyed gardening and traveling. They once traveled to Alaska and were volunteer campground hosts for a summer. Elizabeth also joined him on one of his Canada fishing trips. They spent seven years wintering in Elephant Bute New Mexico and exploring the South West. Elizabeth gave Denny a second lease on life and lovingly took care of him until his passing.

Denny enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Air Force buddies and son. He built two cabins in his lifetime, one in the Black Hills SD and one in Missouri where he enjoyed spending summers with family and fishing. He was also an avid NASCAR and football fan. Another one of Dennys favorite pastimes was black powder shooting when he moved to Colorado. He built his own guns, made his own ammo and crafted many leather items and knives. He also taught and shot with his grandson Brandon Hoyland. He was a member of the Colorado Muzzle Loaders Association and first joined the Galeton club and then the Ft. Lupton club. Denny eventually created the Legacy shoot in 2022, and it continued to last until 2025. These matches were meant for anyone over the age of 75 because "Old guys can shoot!" He had T-shirts printed with this on it for the members.

Denny was preceded in death by his wife Linne'a Cunningham (White), parents Virgil and Ilene Cunningham, stepmother Frances Cunningham ((Hartman), sister Linda Mohler (Melvin), Grandsons Jesse and Brandon Hoyland, Daughter in law Judy Cunningham, brother and sister-in-law Robert and Lois White and many beloved Air Force friends and family.

Denny is survived by his wife Elizabeth Hutson, daughter Melanie Hoyland (David) son Matt Cunningham (Marjorie), granddaughters Shannon Galvin (Tony) and Sarah Rust (Dillon), DeAnna Hoyland wife of grandson Brandon, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens on April 13th at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers donations to the VFW, DAV or veterans association of your choice would be much appreciated.