Julius Cunningham, Sr.

Julius M. Cunningham, Sr. was born October 11, 1924, in Meadville, Pennsylvania to the union of Willoughby Cunningham and Gertie Dykes Cunningham. Julius was the oldest of two children born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his brother, Herman. Julius received his early education in St. Louis, Missouri where he attended Jefferson Grade School and graduated from Vashon High School. He was a very studious young man and an avid reader. He was especially interested in being a philosopher. He was a track and field star in high school, specializing in the sprints and relays. He furthered his education by attending the University of Denver located in Denver Colorado, earning a business degree, while working both full and part-time jobs. On June 4, 1943, Julius enlisted in the United States Navy. He served during World War II. He served his country as a Fireman First Class and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands located in Alaska. While in the Navy, he was awarded an American Area Victory Medal. Julius served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged. On November 7, 1946, Julius united in holy matrimony to the former D'Atria Collins. The couple first met when they both were in high school in St. Louis; to this union, four beautiful children were born, Julius, Jr., Artie, Karen and Brett. Julius was a devoted husband and father. Nothing was more important to him than the care and nurture of his family. They all shared many happy and precious moments together. Later, his three grandchildren were an additional source of joy and pride in his life. His love for them was unconditional and never ending. A man of faith and belief in the Lord, Julius's Christian life and experience began as a teenager, when he was baptized at Saint Peters AME Church in St. Louis, MO. When he relocated to Denver, Colorado, he joined Cleaves CME Church. He was a committed Sunday School Teacher and a Steward under the Shepherd-ships of Reverend Henry Bunton and Reverend L.L. Barnes. Julius was very involved in the remodeling of Cleaves CME Church and was a devoted friend to the elderly in the Fellowship. He later transferred his membership to St. Luke CME Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Alvin Scott. He truly enjoyed his walk with the Lord and the fellowship with his church family. By profession, Julius was employed by the United States Air Force Finance and Accounting Center. He held the position as Supervisor in the Mail Division. He was decorated as a charter member of the prestigious AFAFC's Pioneer Club – March 1951 to January 1985. He retired after forty years of faithful service. At the time of his retirement, Julius had accumulated over 5 years of unused vacation time: a true testament of his steadfast adherence to his core principles of hard work, loyalty and dedication. Julius was a fun loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled. In his free time, he enjoyed puzzles – crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles of all sizes but especially the 2000 piece puzzles. He was a prolific Sudoku puzzle person. Later, on he would really get into playing mahjong (maw-jong) tiles via online gaming. His favorite musicians and artists were Nat King Cole, Mahalia Jackson, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald and the stalwarts of the Big Band era. He was particularly fond of Sophia Loren, Woody Allen and Dorothy Dandridge. You could often find him enjoying Lawrence Welk, PBS programming and popular science / educational and political documentaries. As far as vehicle brands, Julius was a Lincoln-Mercury man. His garage and work area had all the typical household tools, large and small, all the way down the quintessential duct tape – he was the duct tape master. Sometimes for pleasure and relaxation in the backyard, Julius enjoyed a nice game of horse shoes, croquet or a novel. Julius loved dogs – he was very fond of the family's black Labrador retriever mix – "Peaches." His favorite phrases when things were strange or awkward would be "I declare" or "holy cow". You would often hear him say, "And the beat goes on". When you were leaving his presence, he would tell you, "Thanks for everything and be careful out there." Julius will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this one of a kind guy. To Julius was to love. He is preceded in death by his wife, D'Atria Cunningham; his parents, Willoughby and Gertie Cunningham and his brother, Herman Cunningham. Julius Melvin Cunningham, Sr. departed this life into the loving embrace of the Lord on September 17, 2013, in Aurora, CO. Those left to cherish his memory include his three sons, Julius M. Cunningham, Jr., Denver, Shiva (Artie L) Cunningham, Denver, Brett W (Alexis) Cunningham, Sr., Beijing, China; one daughter, Reverend Karen R. Cunningham, Denver; his three grandsons, Sheldon A. Cunningham, Denver, Brett W. Cunningham II, Ypsilanti, Michigan, Bazil A. Cunningham, Beijing, China; his devoted niece, Gisele A. McFarland, Denver; faithful cousin, Sammie Foster, Chicago, Illinois; devoted friends, Willaleen Johnson, Barbara Hitch, Reese and Roxie Williams; and a host of nieces and nephews and many, many friends

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 9/29/2013 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 9/30/2013 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 9/30/2013 at 2:00 PM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - Denver, CO
Family Gathering: - Zion Senior Center - 5151 E. 33rd Ave., Denver, CO