Richard Cunningham

Richard Berkley Cunningham, Jr.
Obituary

Richard Berkley Cunningham, Jr., born April 26, 1951, died peacefully on
Sunday, June 26, 2016 at the age of sixty-five. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Berkley Cunningham and his mother, Doris Anne Swift Cunningham. He is survived by his wife, Donna Gay Hare Cunningham, and his sisters, Sharon Anne Cunningham Finklea (John Lee) and Martha Jane Cunningham Yance, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Richard was a 1969 graduate of Murphy High School where he played Junior Varsity and Varsity football. He graduated from The University of South Alabama in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. While at USA, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, a Big Brother to Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity (later designated as an honorary Big Brother), worked at Freeman Sports Cars, was a member of Sports Car Rally Association of Mobile ( S.C.R.A.M.), and upon graduation became a life-long member of USA Alumni Association.

After working in insurance sales for two years, he opened Cunningham Television in 1978. Realizing his interest in video production, in 1982 he opened CVS Teleproductions, Inc. and later in 1990 contracted under WALA-TV as the Chief Operating Officer, where he remained until 1999, at which time he ended his contract and returned to operating his business again as CVS Teleproductions, Inc. until the present time. Before and during his tenure with WALA-TV he began (1989) video production for America's Junior Miss Program and was the Producer of America's Junior Miss National Finals in 1997 that was nationally televised. He was the Executive Producer of the America's Junior Miss Program in 1998-1999, that was also nationally televised. During his tenure with WALA-TV he was the Creative Director and volunteered many hours for the video production of the Ken Stabler Celebrity Golf Classic which raised money for children's charities.

In 2004 his passion for sports cars returned. He built a large garage dubbed "the Garagemahal" and began working on mostly British sports cars. Richard's passion became a second business, Classic Motorcar Services, Inc. He completed a total restoration on a 1964 E-Type Jaguar and recorded his six-year progress on a website. An article on the restoration appeared in Hemmings Sports & Exotic Cars Magazine in December, 2015. He became a member of the South Alabama British Car Club in 1995, serving as Car Show Chairman several years, Treasurer(1995-2011), Newsletter editor for several years, President ( 2011-2013), and set up their first You-Tube video online and attached it to their website which he had also set up for Club events. He was the club's Outstanding Member for 2004 and received numerous other awards from the club through the years. Richard was involved in the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama, Inc., serving as a Board Member(1988-2007), Chairman of the Steak & Burger Fundraiser in 1996, Vice-President(1997), Advisory Board ( 2007) and was honored as the Outstanding Board Member (2007).

Visitation will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens on Friday, July 22, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Canterbury Chapel, c/o Rev. Charles Morley,13800 Baughman Rd., Silverhill, AL 36575 or The Boys' and Girls' Club of South Alabama, Inc.,
1102 Government St., Mobile, AL 36604.

Visitation

Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
6040 Three-Notch Road
Mobile, AL  36619
Friday, July 22, 2016
5 - 8:00 PM

Memorial Contributions

Canterbury Chapel, c/o Rev. Charles Morley
13800 Baughman Rd.
Silverhill, AL  36575

The Boys' and Girls' Club of South Alabama, Inc.
1102 Government St.
Mobile, AL  36604