James Edward Cunningham

On November 30, 2007, James E. Cunningham died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Buda, Texas. He was born in Aledo, Illinois, on January 10, 1935, and was reared in Ottumwa, Iowa. After serving in the Navy, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Texas State University and a Master of Science degree in engineering from the University of Texas. He retired from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Jim adopted Texas as his home and knew more about Texas history and geography than most native-born Texans know. He loved his family, Dachshunds, Porsches, classical and Celtic music, parties, good food and drink, spirited debates, the color blue and everything Irish. He was an Eagle Scout and a passionate Democrat. Preceded in death by his son, James and his parents, William G. and Maxine Cunningham, Jim is survived by his wife Georgie B. Cunningham; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Donna Cunningham; brother and sister-in-law Dr. William P. and Mary Cunningham; sister Kathleen Smith; numerous other relatives and friends; and his special Dachshund friend Fritz. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on December 5, 2007, at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S. Congress, Austin, Texas 78704. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on December 6, 2007, in the Wilke-Clay-Fish Chapel. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or Friends of the Buda Library, P.O. Box 1162, Buda, Texas 78610.