Cunningham, Rowland W. “Short” age 84, passed peacefully on Feb. 17, 2021 at his home in Louisville, KY surrounded by his loved ones. Born on May 16, 1936 in Mauckport, IN to Clarence Ruel Cunningham and Louise (Fisher) Cunningham, he received the nickname “Short” at 2 years old because he was as wide as he was tall. Following graduation at Corydon Central High School, Short began his career at GE Appliance Park in 1955 where he worked until his retirement in 1996. Short met his future bride, Anita Carman McCarty, at Sherrell’s Skating Rink in 1956. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958 where he served for two years in the 1st Cavalry, in Korea as a Radio Operator. Short returned from his service and he and Carman married in 1961. They settled in Louisville where they raised their two daughters. He was a member of Newburg Christian Church where he served as Elder, Trustee, Board Chair, Treasurer, Property Chairman as well as singing in the Choir. Short was always involved in anything else that may have come up at church and was a man of great faith. He was an avid volunteer, always collecting donations for various charities in his neighborhood and donating money to others on a regular basis. He was a member of the Local Union 761, served on his neighborhood Civics Club as well as serving as a Polling Captain for many elections. Short joined the Louisville Harmonics in 2003 and enjoyed playing at local nursing homes and other facilities. Short enjoyed tinkering around the house. He finished their basement, built a garage and added an addition all by himself. Short loved the outdoors and could often be found at home or church mowing grass, trimming bushes, planting flowers and cutting down numerous dead trees to feed their wood burning stove. Short and Carman took several cruises and trips after retirement and made many trips to Georgia to visit their girls and grandchildren. He was a humble UK fan living in a house of female Cardinal fans. He was a devoted husband, father, papaw and friend.
Short is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carman (McCarty) Cunningham of Louisville, KY; daughters Michele Shimizu (Jeff) of Marietta, GA; Deanna Bishop (Tim) of Dallas, GA; grandchildren Zack & Zane Shimizu and Carleigh & Christian Bishop all of GA; Marissa Vega Velez (Nedry) of Simpsonville, KY.
Preceded in death by his parents, brother Clarence Cunningham and sister Rowena Miller, granddaughter Lynn Shimizu-Sison. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a multitude of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4623 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213. Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 23rd from 2pm-8pm. Funeral on Wednesday, Feb. 24th at Noon, officiated by: Rev. Anne Smith. Final resting place, Evergreen Cemetery.
The family would like to express sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses at Norton Cancer Center, the team at Hosparus Health of Louisville and the caregivers at Care Builders at Home.
Memorial donations in Short’s memory may be made to Newburg Christian Church, 5225 Poplar Level Rd. Louisville, KY 40219.
