Memorial Services for Charles Donald "Don" Cunningham, Jr., 66, formerly of Fairview, will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Fairview. The Reverend David Mendenhall will officiate. There will be a private burial prior to the service. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Charles Donald "Don" Cunningham, Jr. was born November 12, 1942 in Rockford, Illinois to Dr. Charles Donald "C.D." Cunningham, Sr. and Fern (Hendrix) Cunningham and passed away October 1, 2009 at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Viewing will be Monday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

When Don was asked about his education, his exact quote was that he was "in college forever!" He was a graduate of Lipscomb University at Nashville, Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro, Tennessee and worked on his doctorate at the University of Arkansas. He was a teaching assistant at Tennessee State and an instructor in the chemistry department at the University of Arkansas while attending school. Don served in the United States Army Reserves.

On February 2, 1968, Don married Jeanne Louise Bailey in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Don and Jeanne were blessed with a daughter Elizabeth "Beth" in 1972. Jeanne worked to help put Don through college so he told her she could choose where they wanted to settle down. To the communities' advantage, Jeanne chose Fairview, Oklahoma. They moved to Fairview on June 23, 1975 from Fayetteville, Arkansas after Don was hired as plant chemist by U.S. Gypsum in Southard, Oklahoma. He worked there for ten and one half years, retiring in 1986 when he became less ambulatory because of multiple sclerosis. Don was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977 and his wife Jeanne died of a brain tumor in 1985. Following his wife's death Don stepped in to fill the roles of both parents and kept a warm and loving home for Beth. He constantly said how much he owed the caring community and the First Baptist Church family for helping them during and after the crushing blow of Jeanne's death. In addition to keeping up with a teenager, Don always found time for civic duties. He was a member of the Fairview Rotary Club, the American Chemical Society, served on the Fairview Hospital board from 1977 to 1989 and was elected to the Fairview School Board, serving from 1990 to 1995. Don was a member of the Fairview First Baptist Church. He enjoyed playing golf, though he admitted he was not very good at the game.

Don was a unique, intelligent individual, liked by all who knew him. He always kept his sense of humor. Even after the multiple sclerosis worsened, he would often be seen zipping down the street in his motorized wheelchair. The Cheyenne Valley Methodist Church presented him with the first electric four-wheel cart, which he wore out. Don would attend the morning and afternoon coffee klatches and often stopped in at G&A Pharmacy to visit his friend Charles Nimmo, plus a few other close friends would gather there at the same time. Don entered the Fairview Fellowship Home when he was unable to live by himself. He then moved to Bethany to be closer to his beloved Beth and her family. Don touched many people's lives in a positive manner. No matter how dire life seemed he always brought a bit of sunshine and humor wherever he went.

He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth "Beth" and Ted Snoddy of Bethany, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Luke and Noah Snoddy; one sister, Suzanne Gilbert of Frisco, Texas; and very special friend Vicki Hudson of Oklahoma City.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Jeanne in 1985.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the National MS Foundation or the Fairview First Baptist Church with Fairview Funeral Home Inc acting as custodians of the funds.

Condolences may be made online at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com