Larry Leon Cunningham, Sr.
February 12, 2025
“Love you” was Larry Cunningham Sr.’s favorite goodbye. He loved each family member with all his heart and we all knew it when he said, ”Love you” followed by a good strong bear hug.
Larry Leon Cunningham Sr. was born June 3rd, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska to Arthur and Freda Glup Cunningham. He was the youngest of seven siblings. He is survived by his wife Maria (Wehrmann) Cunningham and sister, Gloria Cunningham Bailey.
He served his country in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959 as a motorpool mechanic earning the rank of Specialist and graduating from Airborne School at Fort Benning, claiming the title of U.S. Paratrooper, embodying the motto, “All The Way”. He played a special role in collecting, evacuating, identifying and laying to rest deceased members of service further demonstrating his dedication to those he served with.
While serving in Kaiserslautern, Germany, he met the love of his life, Maria Werhmann. They were married December 24, 1958. They are the parents of three children, Larry Leon Jr. (Lauri Moulton), Christine Williams (Rick Williams) and Karen Miller (Matt Miller). He is the proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren including Richard (Mary) Miller, Kristena Chlopek, Ashlee (Randall) Lilly, Jacob (Tanya) Chlopek, Marco (Anni) Chlopek, Aaron (Randi) Williams, Alex (Todd) Williams, Liz (Josh) Guenthner, Adam (Brynn) Williams, Conrad (Kelly) Cunningham, Caleb (Kelly) Cunningham, Allie (Addison) Jeppesen, and Matt (Dana) Cunningham, with 25 and counting great grandchildren.
Larry had an unending work ethic as he earned his Third Grade Engineer license and worked as an engineer for the Sealtest IceCream, served as a plant engineer with Union Beef Packing Co., owned a business with his son, Cunningham Enterprises, Inc., worked at Nebraska Beef and Omaha Cold Storage where he became a patented inventor of processing equipment for beef and pet food production. Larry retired just after his 70th birthday.
Larry was a man who understood the value of hard work and the skill of one’s hands. Whether it was fixing, building, or teaching, he led by example, showing his family that true craftsmanship is both a trade and a testament to one’s character. Yet, beyond his work ethic, it was his passion for life that left the deepest impression. He knew that every moment, (no matter how big or small) deserved to be met with a wry smile and a well-placed joke, bringing joy and grounding those around him in the present.
Above all, Larry was a family man, a true patriarch whose example of faith, devotion, and love will continue to guide those he leaves behind. His life was a testament to duty – duty to God, to family, and to country. His life of devotion to his family and employers is an everlasting reminder to lift up those around us and to ask one another, “How’s it going?”
His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the love he so freely gave, through one, “love you” and bear hug at a time.
Larry Leon Cunningham Sr. will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Visitation: Saturday, February 15, 2025, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel
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