Jack J. Cunningham, 86, of Knoxville, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at UPMC Wellsboro. Born June 11, 1936, in Piney, W.V., he was the son of the late Leroy Guy and Lillian (Judge) Cunningham.

He graduated in 1953 from Reader High School, Reader, W.V. and married Sharon Carr on April 26, 1958, in Knoxville. They shared (just shy of) 65 years together and raised three wonderful children.

Jack worked for various pipeline and road construction contractors and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 832 since 1967. He was an avid tinkerer and could fix most anything without ever buying a part.

Jack had a large presence in a very small circle, he had an infectious smile and was always a jokester. In the summer he could be found in his garden or on the porch swing, often discussing life, teaching “the cat came back” or asking “have you had your smackins today” with one of the many neighborhood children.

Most importantly, Jack loved spending time with his family and grandkids.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; his children, Lori (Marty) Hamblin, of Middlebury Center, K. Robert “Bob” (Linda) Cunningham, of Knoxville and Wendy (Ivan) Swartz, of Knoxville; grandchildren, Eric (Amanda) Hamblin, Brett (Stacey) Hamblin, Kyle (Tiffany) Hamblin, Rob (Mandy) Cunningham, Alan Cunningham, Ivan “T.J.” (Lexi) Swartz III and Paige (Dakota) Corwin; great-grandchildren, Trenton, Brock, Blake, Brooke, Emaleigh, Kamdyn, Jackson, Trapper and Waylon Hamblin and Julie and Jack Cunningham; great great grandchildren, Brantley Hamblin and Skylin Johnson; sister-in-law, Barbara Cunningham, of New Martinsville, WV and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by siblings and in-laws, Betty (Bernard) Stormick, Freda (Jim) Surgeon, Pauline (Henry) Crane, Norman (Mary) Cunningham, Robert L. (Mary) Cunningham and Billy L. Cunningham.

Family will receive friends at Kenyon Funeral Home, 222 W. Main St., Westfield on Thursday, March 9 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 12 p.m. with Mike Hale officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Austinburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alan B. Carr Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Foundation, 104 Lockhart St., Sayre, PA 18840 or www.twintierscf.org or to a charity of choice.