Jack Edward Cunningham, Jr., 72, of Richmond, passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at North Care Hospice House in Kansas City.
Jack was born on April 3, 1953, in Excelsior Springs, the son of Jack Edgar and Annabell (O’Dell) Cunningham, Sr. He was united in marriage to Gloria Ellen Estes of Richmond on March 26, 1983; she survives of the home.
Additional survivors include: son, Jack (Carrie) Cunningham, III, of Wellington; two daughters, Lacey Cunningham of Liberty and Christina (Brett) McClure of Richmond; four grandchildren: Brisyn Shoemaker, Kamryn McClure, Ava Grace Cunningham, and Jace Aaron Cunningham; and sister, Peggy Brubeck of Liberty.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Joyce Ann Hufford and Susie Danner.
Jack was raised and educated in Richmond, graduating with the Class of 1972. A talented athlete, he played football in high school and was a member of the 1971 State Football Championship team, which was later inducted into the Richmond Spartan Athletic Hall of Fame. Jack went on to work for the Richmond Street Department as a supervisor for 12 years, during which he also served as a volunteer firefighter and captain with the Richmond Fire Department. He later became a skilled maintainer operator with the Missouri Department of Transportation, where he worked until his retirement.
Jack had a lifelong love of sports, especially football. He served as a little league football coach for many years and was a proud Kansas City Chiefs fan. He also had a passion for racing, driving in the Super 8 class at I-70 Speedway and founding the Ray County Go Karters. Jack cherished time with his grandchildren and enjoyed watching the Chiefs and Royals, always keeping up with the teams he loved.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to either North Care Hospice House or American Heart Association. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Richmond Memory Gardens. Please remember to share your memories of Jack with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
