Gary Thomas Cunningham was born on November 8, 1940 and died on July 4, 2022 at Heartland Assisted Living near Roberts, Montana. His 81 years were filled with love, laughter, faith and the hard work of farming and ranching.
Gary was the son of A. T. (Ted) and Florence Cunningham. He joined the family as the towheaded baby brother of two older sisters, Helen and Mary. Initially, the family lived in Mission Valley but moved to the place in Pease Bottom that would become the Cunningham Ranch when Gary was just a year old. The balance of his life would mostly be spent there. Always a little mischievous, he explored the Yellowstone River bottom with his dog (and best friend) Dick. This relationship was the beginning of his lifelong love of animals. His elementary education was at the Rancher School and he graduated from Hysham High School in 1958. It was during his senior year that he blew the transmission in Ted’s brand new Pontiac Chieftan while racing. This activity wasn’t exactly approved by his dad, so Gary was in a little hot water. Although small in physical stature, Gary was a talented athlete. He excelled at football, basketball and track. He was a state medalist in the sprints. All of us that tried to keep up with him can attest that he maintained this superior footspeed his entire life. Those short legs sure could move!
Following high school, Gary attended three different colleges in the state of Montana over a three-year period. It was during this time that he met a spunky little Huntley Project girl named Elsie Kern on a blind date. They were married on May 21, 1961 and shortly thereafter moved to Pease Bottom where Gary worked for a time on Henry DeCock’s ranch before joining his dad in the family farming and ranching operation. He earned a reputation as an excellent cattleman who produced a top-quality calf crop year after year. He always went the extra mile to ensure his cattle were healthy and well-fed (some might say he overfed a little at times). Gary loved his cows and his family believed that he would have let them in the house on cold winter nights if Elsie would have allowed it.
Although Gary loved all aspects of the ranching life, he absolutely hated weeds and sagebrush. He declared war on these inconvenient plants and his favorite weapon was fire. Several fences, haystacks and outbuildings as well as a portion of his feedlot became victims of Gary’s assault on his enemy foliage. The volunteer fire departments from both Custer and Hysham were familiar with the route to the Cunningham Ranch when things got a little out of hand.
Gary and Elsie were the proud parents of a son and three daughters. They spent many years driving all over Montana for ball games, track meets, 4-H events and rodeos. If their kids were involved, at least one of them was there. They taught their children the value of honesty and hard work. They knew how to be good neighbors an instilled this in their kids. Their faith in Jesus was unwavering and they taught this in their home. Gary held a strong conviction that the USA is the greatest country on earth and he prayed daily for the Lord to guide our elected officials.
Gary was a loving husband and father, good neighbor, faithful friend and honest man. He was preceded in death by his wife Elsie, parents Ted and Florence Cunningham and sister Helen Neal. He is survived by his son and three daughters: Jason (Allyson) Cunningham, Twila (Dan) Dean, Janelle Velenchenko and Tiffany (Stacey) Ogren. He is also survived by his sister Mary Cunningham and 11 grandchildren: Kayla Cunningham; Garet and Isaac Cunningham; Dexter, Maggie and Dawson Dean; Aaron, Talia and Kandyce Velenchenko; Rylee and Colt Ogren. His two surviving great grandchildren are Paisleigh Sherod and Kinzley Wilson.
We’re all feeling the sting of losing Gary from this earthly life, but are comforted by the knowledge that he is free from pain and is once again in the company of Elsie and others who passed before him.
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday July 8, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Saturday July 9, 2022
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Hysham, Montana 59038
Interment
Following the Funeral
Saturday July 9, 2022
Ranchers Cemetery
Hysham, Montana 59038
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday July 8, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Saturday July 9, 2022
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Hysham, Montana 59038
Interment
Following the Funeral
Saturday July 9, 2022
Ranchers Cemetery
Hysham, Montana 59038
Share
Joe Barbosa says
My thoughts and prayers are with the Cunningham family. So sorry for your loss.
Joe Barbosa
John Roark says
Thoughts and Prayers for peace and comfort for your family Jason, so sorry to hear of your Father passing.
John Roark
William & Kari Willems says
We neighbored back in forth with the Cunningham Ranch since I was 11 yrs old. Gary & I worked hard together with the cattle including a few wrecks along the way! Always a fun time filled with lots of laughter! Our ranches worked well together back in forth helping each other when needed it didn’t matter which place we worked on we kept working together till the job was done! He will be deeply missed while his memories will be cherished in our thoughts and hearts.
Marty Clifton says
Twila and Jason, my heart goes out to you guys.. Live well and love strong my friends.
Sandy D says
I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds like someone I would have enjoyed meeting. Prayers for your family.
Debbie and Nels Strandberg says
WE are so sorry for your loss. We have fond memories of Gary. He was always there with a smile and wlling to help when we saw him. He will be missed. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you at this difficult time.
Debbie and Nels Strandberg
Vicki Mereness Brown says
I’m sorry to that Gary passed away. Dad worked for him for several years. And I have wonderful memories of him and the family!
bob bloedel says
Sorry for the loss of Gary.Did not know him well,but my parents–Earl and Ruth Bloedel did. God Bless all his family and friends in this time of loss.
Corinna Keller says
We are so sad to hear about Gary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jeff & Corinna
Michael & Mary Jo says
Sorry for you and your families loss Twyla. Our thoughts are with you, Dan and the kids. We love you all.
Michael & Mary Jo
Skip and Pam White says
We are sorry to hear about Gary. Our thoughts and Prayers are with Gary’s family during this difficult time. Gary was a hard worker but always took time to visit. He will long be remembered.
Belva Arvik says
Jason, Twila, Janelle, Tiff and families–We have so many memories of times spent with Gary, Elsie and all of you –traveling all over Montana to basketball games, 4-H fair, boating at Yellowtail, brandings, birthday parties, weddings, holidays and greeting each new year with a potluck dinner. We had lots of good times and laughs and are so thankful for those memories, Gary was a dear, true friend we could always count on. We miss him!! Our love and prayers to all of you. Harold and Belva
Kirsten (Belgarde) Crocker says
Jason, Twila, Janelle and Tiff so sorry to hear about your dad. He was a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of loss.
mike hilario says
Mary sorry for the loss of a loved one.
Abigail Nihols says
What a beautiful obituary capturing a life well lived. My friendship with Gary’s sister Mary began in 1979 and has been centered on family stories. I met Gary at the ranch a few years ago. I was so glad to meet him and Elsie, and to feel the landscape that means so much to all the Cunninghams. Rest in Peace. Gail
Susie and David Redding says
We know Gary and Elsie are both in a much better place……..not that they were in too bad of one here!!! The good times and laughs we had through the years will always be remembered and treasured. God Bless you kids and your families!!! Elsie and I became acquainted in the late ’70s when we were working the same road job flagging on construction………pre porta potty days!! What fun we had getting to know each other and forming a life long friendship……I still miss her daily. To know that Gary and Elsie shared he same Christian belief of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Savior’ is a great comfort to us.
Mike Michunovich says
I am sorry to hear about your loss. A true pioneer of Pease Bottom and a life well lived. I won’t be able to attend the funeral but my thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his family. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Diane Jonckowski says
Our prayers go out to your family at this time. We hope you find great peace with all the memories. I met Elsie when Tiffany came to Central and played basketball with Julie. Elsie truly became a great friend. We did lots of crafts together. Even though Dave and I moved to Utah she always kept in touch. Their home was a peaceful place where I could unwind when I came back to Montana. We won’t be able to attend the funeral as now we live in Oklahoma but hope you know how much Gary and Elsie meant to us. Dave and Diane Jonckowski
Harold Hert says
Cunningham family sorry for your loss Gary was a good friend to our family
Odetta Howrey says
Jason, Twila, Janelle, and Tiffany: Your Dad was a very special man, he was a hard worker, and Max and I did have some very good times with him and your mother. I do have very fond memories of the ball games that we attended and cheered for you kids.
I know that it is so hard to lose a parent. May he rest in peace, and he will be joined with your Mother Elsie, who was a very good friend also.
My Love to all of you,
God Bless: Odetta
Ed and Mary Lou Wolstein says
Ed and I were so sorry to hear about your Dad. It is never easy to loose a parent. Our thoughts and prayers are with you ad your families. At some time in the future, you will be able to remember him without overwhelming grief; you will remember the good times and a smile will come to your face without tears.
Alice Nation says
My dad, Hugh Broadus, was very sad not to be able to attend your dad’s funeral. He said that he met your dad on a train ride to Boys’ State in 1957, and became friends during that trip. We are all very sorry for your loss.