Mackenzie Dean Cunningham

Mackenzie Dean Cunningham (“Dean”), 21, of Houston, died January 2nd, 2018 in his sleep at home. He was born December 18, 1996 in Lima, Peru, the son of Monte Craig Cunningham and Deborah (Sotomayor) Cunningham. He attended schools in Houston, TX, and Chevy Chase, MD, and graduated from Bellaire High School in 2015. He was currently enrolled at the University of Houston.

Dean was an avid and talented guitar player, loved both his acoustic and electric guitars, and enjoyed all kinds of music. He relished performing in public, although he played hard-to-get at home. Dean was of extraordinary gentleness, a good son and friend, and looked at the positive in everyone. Dean was especially close to his brother Jesse, who was his best friend in life. He was a great big brother, patient, understanding and protective, and their bond was what gave their mom the biggest joy.

Dean is survived by his parents, Deborah Sotomayor and Monte Cunningham of Houston, his brothers, Jesse Cunningham and Ross Cunningham, and his step-father, Ryan von Lindern. He also leaves behind his loving maternal grandmother, Carmen I. Alvarez, maternal grandfather, Jose F. Sotomayor and his wife Gladys Sotomayor, paternal grandmother Ginger Jo Denson, and his step-grandparents who doted on him with the greatest love, Margrit von Braun and Ian von Lindern. Dean had many people in his life who gave him advice and were role models, such as Simba Tirima and Cesar Cabrera. In addition, Dean is survived by his aunts Iris von Braun and Pilar Alvarez and uncles Jose M. Sotomayor, Jeff Robbins, Alexander Sotomayor, and Jake Cunningham, his many cousins, and many, many friends from Houston, TX, Bethesda, MD, and Moscow, Idaho.

A viewing of the body will be available to friends and family at Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services on January 7th between the hours of 5 and 9 p.m. There will be a service at 6:30 pm as well. The cremation will take place subsequently and such information will be kept private.