Robert Garrett Cunningham

Robert G. (Bob) Cunningham died March 18, 2011 after a long illness. Bob was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 26, 1928. His parents were Robert L. Cunningham, longtime reporter and historian for the Knoxville News-Sentinel and Reba Gentry Cunningham who taught piano in the Fountain City area. In Knoxville, Bob excelled as a trombonist and a Golden Gloves boxer and graduated in business administration from the University of Tennessee. During the Korean War he served in the U. S. Navy and won a Navy welter weight boxing title in the Philippines. After military service, he worked for Libby, McNeill & Libby Co. in Knoxville before moving to Chattanooga.

For many years he was a stockbroker for then J. C. Bradford Co. (now UBS Brokerage) of Chattanooga. In retirement Bob maintained an active interest in the market and played trombone for the Chattanooga band Sweet Georgia Sounds. The last three years of his life he lived at the Summit View Senior Community where he made many good friends. He is survived by three cousins: Joanne Cunningham Sanders of Huntsville, AL; Robert B. Gentry of Gainesville, FL; Catherine Amador of Alpharetta, GA and Jean Willis of Clinton, TN and by special friend Alice Hankins of Chattanooga.

The funeral service will be held in the East Chapel of the Chattanooga Funeral Home, 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 21, Dr. David Harr, officiant. The family will receive friends an hour before the service. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville, 3:00 p.m. March 21.

Bob’s family extends heart-felt gratitude to all his caregivers and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to First Centenary United Methodist Church of Chattanooga.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. 404 S. Moore Road.