Clarence "Skee"Cunningham

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7. A retired U.S. Army colonel, government and university administrator, Clarence Cunningham died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, at 6 p.m.at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City. Widely known as "Skee," he was 73, a native ofCentralia, Ill., and a resident of Baton Rouge. He graduated from Southern University andA&MCollegein 1956 with a commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In that same year, he married the former Billie Delpit of Baton Rougeand together they shared a partnership of nearly 50 years. During an outstanding 23-year career in the U.S. Army, he attained the rank of colonel and served with distinction in two tours of duty in Vietnam, three years at the Pentagon inArlington, Va., attended the prestigious U.S. Army War College inCarlisle, Pa., and spent his last tour of duty inSeoul, Korea, as chief planning officer. His military honors included a Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Award and the Army Commendation Medal. In addition, he received the Louisiana National Guard's Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. In 1979, he retired from military service and returned to Baton Rouge. He embarked upon a civilian career that included stints at the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the Louisiana Department of Urban and Community Affairs, where he served as director of the clearinghouse for federal grants and later as undersecretary. After an earlier post as director of purchasing, he concluded his professional affiliation with Southern University as vice chancellor for administration, from which he retired in 1994. A highlight of his tenure was the historic 1991 agreement with NBC Sports through which the Bayou Classic is televised nationally every year. He remained active in civic, charitable and social organizations and activities during his post-retirement years. Clarence was a parishioner of St. Joseph Cathedral. Of all his accomplishments, he took the greatest pride in his family and particularly relished his role as a grandfather. He leaves to celebrate his memory his wife, Billie; two sons, Bret of New Orleans and Kevin and wife Helena of Baton Rouge; two daughters, Stacey of Guyana, South America, and Loren Brown and husband Jazen of Burbank, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Kevin "KC" Cunningham Jr. and Sydne Cunningham, both of Baton Rouge, and Jazen Brown Jr. of Burbank. He is also survived by a brother, Charles Cunningham and wife Anita of Louisville, Ky.; a sister, Bertha Ann Locke and husband Roy of Carbondale, Ill.; mother-in-law, Edmae D. Butler of Baton Rouge; brother-in-law, Joseph A. Delpit and wife Precious of Baton Rouge; sister-in-law, Lisa D. Delpit of Miramar, Fla.; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Cunningham; father, Eugene Cunningham; and two brothers, William Taft Cunningham and Eugene Cunningham Jr. Visiting will be at St. Joseph Cathedral, 412 North St., on Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m.until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m.Interment will be inPortHudsonNationalCemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Rabenhorst Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that memorial donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana, 8200 Hampson St., New Orleans, LA70118.