Howard Cunningham

Howard Scott Cunningham passed away in his sleep Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. He had endured some medical challenges as of late, and his body had grown tired. Howard was born in Billings on Nov. 15, 1951 to Ralph D and Carolyn Cunningham. He was one of the first survivors of open heart surgery due to a heart defect in the mid 1950's at the Mayo Clinic. As a youngster, he excelled in Baseball and Basketball. His first year of Little League, his team – All Truck Services went all the way to City Champs. He played 8th grade Basketball at Lincoln. Soon after, he traded sports for bass guitar gigs with his pals. He played in a lot of bands traveling MT & WY. Different stages of his life reflected his passions! He Loved driving around, checking on cattle with his father, Ralph. They spent countless hours traveling Montana and other western states buying cattle. As a young man his father trusted him to write drafts; & count & weigh the cattle that they purchased. He loved just hanging out, including canning peaches & pears with his mother & best friend - Carole. 3 sons/ brothers – Bruce (Slippery), Howard & Bill within 3 ½ years were like the 3 musketeers keeping Carole & Ralph on their toes! One of his favorite jobs was rough necking with his brother Bill (in lots of small towns, meeting lots of great people & saw lots of country- MT, ND, WY & AL) until the oil field collapsed. Going back to school, he graduated from MSU in May, 1993 with Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Technology. This took him to Alaska & Florida where he worked on construction projects including building major highways & working with the Army Corp of Engineers' Project on MacDill Air Force Base. His time in Bozeman obviously led to Love of the CATS!! He loved watch sports on TV and in person, when could. He was known to be meticulous in all he did. He loved to socialize, tell stories & drive his 2002 Z06 corvette – Howard was a Friend to all! He could be seen on special occasions with a colorful Hawaiian shirt! Anyone that knew Howard - will miss him. Howard is survived by his son, Mike & grandson, Michael Dominic (Boise, ID); his brother, Bill (Susan of Billings) & numerous nieces & nephews - whom he loved & considered his family; step-son, Riley Finnegan (Billings). He spent the last 8 years with the Love of his Life, Shauna Kerr – they Laughed, Loved and Lived Life to the fullest. He was the father & grandfather figure to her family, Chad and Zen Cumin. He was preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn; father, Ralph D; brothers, Bruce & Ralph Jr.; sister, Loraine; & nephew, Ralph Daniel Cunningham; step-sons, Shawn Finnegan; Derreck Cumin. Please join us & wear Hawaiian in Honor & Celebration of his life & memorial service will be Friday, September 14 at 11:00 am at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone; followed by Celebration of Life & lunch at Squire Lounge, 1525 Broadwater Ave. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be spread at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make Memorials to MSU (Montana State University) or Charity of your choice.