Gerald Cunningham

Gerald "Jerry" Leon Cunningham, 80, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Monday, July 27, 2015 at his home.

Jerry was born on March 6, 1935 in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Jesse Ray and Annabelle (Pancake) Cunningham. He attended the local school system and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1954. He remained in Ottawa working for the National Sign Company as a layout artist until 1968. In 1969 he moved to Coffeyville, Kansas.

He learned to play piano and organ when he was ten years of age and began his professional career as a musician at the age of thirty-five. Throughout his career he has played in various restaurants and clubs, including the Ideal Café in Nowata, Oklahoma, playing there for thirteen years.

In 1984 he became the piano player for the Ramada Inn in Bartlesville, Oklahoma until 1988. In 1989 he then went to work at the Booth Hotel in Independence, Kansas.

Since 1995 he began playing for George's Cafeteria, which later became the Cactus Grill, in Coffeyville until it closed.

He attended the Church of Acts and also the New Covenant Church, both of Coffeyville. He enjoyed music, bass fishing, and billiards.

He is survived by Linda Ross of the home; her children, Angela (Waymond) North of Coffeyville, Kansas and Neil (Angela) Jarett all of Coffeyville, Kansas, Joyce Bakel of Medford, Oregon . He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond Cunningham and by his sisters, Rayola Chambers, , Leila Wills and Lila Rose Cunningham.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel in Coffeyville.