Earl "Porkey" Cunningham

Earl “Porkey” Cunningham, 83, of Tyler, Texas, passed away from a sudden spinal infection on May 17, 2025, after a short stay in Hospice of East Texas, surrounded by his wife of 59 years, family, and devoted friends who cared for him, Terry and Nachell.

Born in Waco, Texas on December 3rd, Porkey moved to Tyler, Texas at a young age, attending school and later Tyler Junior College. He married his best buddy, Gale, and raised four children. Porkey worked as an investigator for the Texas and Pacific Railway, eventually retiring from the Yellow Freight company after more than 45 years in the trucking industry. Porkey had a passion for working on his property in “the country” and a love of helping others.

Porkey served in the United States Army where he was stationed at various overseas locations in Germany, assigned to 8th Infantry Division as a Military Policeman and Paratrooper. This skill landed him in the role as a movie extra in “The Longest Day.” Upon his return to Tyler, he met Gale, the love of his life, whom he married in 1965. He is preceded in death by his son, Fleming, brother, Richard, and mother, Pansy. He is survived by his wife, Gale, children, Stacy Cunningham (Matt), Nathaniel Cunningham (Dianna), and S. Courtney Cunningham Rozada, plus his three grandchildren: Ethan (Desiree), Anthony “AJ” Rozada, IV, and Addyson, and his brother, Frederick “Mike” Cunningham (Jeanne Ann).

Porkey will always be remembered for his love and devotion to Gale and children; his superb talent as a handyman - always having multiple projects simultaneously; his constant service to friends and neighbors; his deep love of storytelling; and pride in his four children and three grandchildren. Patience, humor, and hard work were his hallmarks.

A visitation will be held at Lloyd James Funeral Home on Thursday, May 22nd, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and burial service the following day at Rose Hill Cemetery, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of East Texas or Highway 80 Rescue Mission of Tyler.