Loren George Cunningham

L.G. was born on June 22, 1929 in Slater, MO. His parents were the Reverends Keith K. and Ida Baird Cunningham. He married Sarah Bell Cunningham of York, AL on September 11, 1955. He graduated from high school in Rushville, IL. And the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO. He also did graduate work at Rutgers University and attended Harvard Business School. After graduating from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, he worked for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. While working for Pfizer, he enlisted in the Army and served in the medical corps in the Korean War. After returning from Korea he went to work at Coca Cola USA in Atlanta, GA as a chemist in a traveling lab. In 1956, he was transferred to the Coca Cola syrup plant lab in Kearney, NJ. In 1965 he returned to the central lab in Atlanta, GA, where he remained until his retirement in 1991. During his 39 years with Coca Cola USA his career went from a lab chemist to Vice President of Quality Assurance and then he became the first Vice President of Crisis Management for Coca Cola USA.

L.G. was an advocate for education and he and his wife funded scholarships at various colleges and helped with building construction on several college campuses. His pride and joy was helping to build the Bell Conference Center at the University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL, where his wife and mother-in-law attended college. The building was named in honor of his wife’s parents, Eulon C. and Loraine M. Bell. The Cunningham dining hall was named in honor of L.G.’s parents, Keith and Ida Cunningham. He also supported children and animal causes.

L.G. was a lifetime member of the Alexander Tharpe Fund at Georgia Tech, of which he was an avid fan. He was a member of the Mortar and Pestle Society at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He and his wife were members of the Sandy Springs Christian Church, Sandy Springs, GA. He and Sarah loved traveling and after his retirement traveled extensively, including two trips around the world and visiting 62 countries.

L.G. is survived by his wife, Sarah Bell Cunningham, a son and daughter-in-law, John and Emily Cunningham, grandson, Tyler Cunningham, granddaughter, Caroline Cunningham, a brother, Keith Cunningham (Kathy), nephew, Loren Cunningham (Joyce), niece, Laura Sue Suesserman (Mike), sister-in-law, Louise Bradberry (Bob), nephews, James Davis (Trina), Chris Davis (Patti) and several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Keith K. Cunningham and Rev. Ida Baird Cunningham.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, September 24, at 11:00AM at the Sandy Springs Christian Church in Sandy Springs, GA. A reception will follow the service at the same location.