Gerald "Jerry" Duane Cunningham

Gerald “Jerry” Duane Cunningham, age 83, of Jessup, Maryland passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long illness on Friday, July 28, 2023. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Georgia (nee) Caralis Cunningham, beloved only son, Mark Cunningham, Proud "Papou" (GrandFather) to dear grandchildren Gavin Mark and Elise Lillian Cunningham. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Amos J. Cunningham and wife, Myrtle (nee) Lewis; Siblings, Homer Dale (Mary) Cunningham, Odessa Marie (Jim) Harris; Thelma Frances (John) Leckemby; Paul Berlyn Cunningham (Ruth), Vivian Blanche (Ted) Nathan; Anna Mae (Clarence) Rice-Baker; Juanita Jean (Lester) Baker- Maness; Amos Wesley (Geraldine) Cunningham, Jr., Lyda Dorothy(Donald) Davis.

He retired from US Airways after 43 years and had another 14-year career as an Independent Title Settlement Officer for many Maryland, Virginia, and DC Title companies, banks and credit unions servicing the mortgage industry.

Being raised on a huge dairy farm, Jerry had a lifelong passion for the outdoors, and after serving two tours in the United States Army, he was honorably discharged from the military. He then headed west with Georgia to the Sierra Nevada Mountain range where he served as a US Forest Ranger managing forest land and fighting forest fires in high California Mountains. Jerry also had a passion for carpentry, building projects, and working in his garden. He was an avid antique gun collector and loved the “Old West” and Civil War era. After returning from California he started his next long care in the airline industry in various positions including management in his later years. He retired from a successful career at US Airways after 43 years. He then started his next career with his son, having another successful 14-year career as an Independent Mortgage Settlement Officer for many Maryland, Virginia, and DC Title companies, banks, and credit unions. He liked to target practice, hiking in the woods, traveling throughout the National Parks and historic battlefields. Working for the airlines, he liked to travel to foreign countries and also taking cruises with family to Bermuda, Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, and Greece.

He loved coming home to his family and always smiled when he walked through the front door. He loved his friends and always cared for everyone’s well-being and offered to help those in need. He always had a persistent drive and determination that was unmatched in his projects and a relentless work ethic in everything he did. His tenacity and unwillingness to never give up hope of getting better in his battle with PSP disease in the last 6 years of his life, leave a courageous display of what humanity is capable of enduring for survival. His presence, love, and smile will be missed forever.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make a donation to the CurePSP Foundation @ www.curepsp.org.