Cunningham Jr., Charles Clarke

Charles Clarke Cunningham Jr., of Radford, Virginia and Claytor Lake, Dublin, Virginia, died August 15, 2010. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on April 8, 1917, the son of the late Charles Clarke Cunningham Sr. and Bessie Bache Cunningham. Clarke attended Radford City Schools where he was president of his senior class and was a member of the first Radford Bobcats football team in 1933. He attended the University of Virginia from 1935 until 1939 and was a United States Army Veteran having served overseas during World War II as 1st Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. Clarke was past President of the former First and Merchants National Bank of Radford, now Suntrust Bank, was President of the Virginia Bankers Association from 1976 until 1977, served as member of the Governing Council of the American Bankers Association representing the State of Virginia from 1977 until 1979, and also served as Chairman and Member of the Federal Legislative Committee for the Virginia Bankers Association from 1971 until 1979. Clarke was involved in many professional and civic organizations and volunteered his time for many causes. He was very involved with the University of Virginia where he was a former member of the Board of Visitors from 1980 until 1984, past president of the Athletic Foundation, and a member of the Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumni. On a local level Clarke was First Chairman of the Radford University Foundation Board, former member and Vice Chairman of the Original Board of New River Community College, past President of the Radford United Fund, past President of the Radford Fine Arts Association, former Chairman of the Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts of America, past President of the Radford Chamber of Commerce, past Chairman of the Radford School Board, past President of the Radford City Zoning Board of Appeals, past Chairman of the Steering Committee to build and locate the Radford High School Football Stadium, organized and was the first President of Round Meadow Country Club, past Chairman of the Board of St. Albans Psychiatric Hospital, member of the Masonic Lodge in Radford, and member of the Radford V. F. W. Post #776. He was a longtime member of Grove United Methodist Church where he was past Chairman of the Board of Trustees. His life touched all who came in contact with him and he loved spending time on Claytor Lake as well as many years attending UVA football games. He was a devoted husband, father and friend and will be missed by all. He was preceded in death on June 3, 2009, by his wife of 67 years, Mary Peters Cunningham. He is survived by his three sons, Charles Clarke Cunningham III, and wife, Cynthia Graveson Cunningham, Richard Bruce Cunningham and wife, Bonnie Baker Cunningham, and William Kendall Cunningham and special friend, Joyce Bennett. Also surviving are two granddaughters, Deborah Anne Parr and Mary Barrett Cunningham; two grandsons, Charles Clarke Cunningham IV and Richard Baker Cunningham; and one great-grandson, Austin Parr. Family will receive friends Friday, August 20, 2010, from 1 until 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Grove United Methodist Church in Radford. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary with the Rev. Karen Lane officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Grove United Methodist Church, 1020 Tyler Avenue, Radford, Va. 24141 or to the charity of your choice. The Cunningham family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. (www.mullinsfuneralhome.com)