Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, at Faulkton High School. Prayer service will be 7 p.m. Sunday, June 23, St. Thomas Catholic Church, Faulkton.
Garry Cunningham was born March 21, 1946, to John and Evelyn Cunningham in Aberdeen. After the family moved to Faulkton, some of Garry's first jobs included cleaning filters at the swimming pool, working at the golf course and working for Doyle and Jean Deiter on their farm.
He taught at Cresbard from 1968-74 and spent six years in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 1970, Garry moved home and taught industrial arts in Faulkton.
Sports and children were important to Garry. He coached midgets, teeners and junior Legion baseball in Faulkton. Garry also coached boys' and girls' basketball, football and golf for Cresbard and Faulkton Schools. In 2007, the SDHSAA honored Garry for 25 years of coaching.
Garry had a passion for golf. In 1972, he began his tenure as course manager at Lakeside Country Club. He dedicated many hours to improving the course. Garry not only loved to work on the course, he also loved to play. He played countless rounds of golf with his partner, DuWayne Hushka. Garry even had the privilege of acing two holes.
Garry married Irene Kaatz, his wife of 44 years, on Dec. 28, 1968. To this marriage, three children were born: Darin, Brice and Deena. The couple raised their children in Faulkton, which will always be home to the family.
Garry's hobbies included golf, woodworking, cards, bowling, hunting, working at his cabin and helping people in any way possible. Nothing meant more to Garry than his grandchildren, whom he deeply loved, and each one of them knew it.
Garry is survived by his wife, Irene, Faulkton; his sons: Darin (Lara) Cunningham, Yankton, and Brice (Nicole) Cunningham, Faulkton; daughter, Deena Cunningham, Sioux Falls; grandchildren: Jimmie, Jake and Jordyn; Tyler, Noah, Ally and Hannah; Carter, Benjamin, Lincoln and Grant; three brothers: Dale, Colton and Bob (Leanne), Mina; and sister, Karen (Gary) Hanson, Bloomington, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister; sister-in-law; brother-in-law; and nephew.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Garry Cunningham Memorial Fund at Dacotah Bank, Faulkton.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Garry's arrangements.
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