Van Alstyne, Texas -- Michael Dan (Mick) Cunningham, a proud native Texan, entered this world on Sunday, September 19, 1943, in Abilene, Texas. He spent his early life in Merkel, Texas, enjoying time with his beloved grandmother, Dixie Scott. After a short move to Crane, his family eventually made their home in Fort Worth.  Some of his fondest memories were made during those adolescent years with his lifelong friends, Billy Mack Keck, Lee Farrell, Gary Skinner, and David Holmes.

During his teen years, he was a paperboy for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. In May 1962, Mick graduated from Fort Worth Technical High School (now Trimble Tech). After high school, Mick enlisted into the Navy where he served his country from May 1962 until June 1965 when he was honorably discharged. He chose the Navy with hopes to see the world and, despite that goal, never found himself stationed on a ship.  He completed service school first in his class in Great Lakes, Illinois, in the winter of 1962. He has said that was the coldest he had ever been in his life and he couldn't wait to get back to Texas.

For 35 years, Mick worked at Texas Instruments, first in Richardson and then in Sherman. He was a mechanical engineer and was proud of the specialized work he did in the field of semiconductor development where he was awarded patents for numerous processes that are still in use today.

After years of taking night classes, Mick finished his Bachelor in Business Administration from the Dallas extension campus of Abilene Christian University in 1979. He joked that it only took him 17 years to finish a four year degree but it was this perseverance and focus that made an impact on his children and reinforced the importance of lifelong learning.

It was during his time at T.I. that he met the love of his life, Merry. They were married on January 20, 1968, in what he called the best move he ever made. Mick and Merry celebrated their 48th anniversary this year and, through good times and tough times, they demonstrated the commitment to the covenant that they made all those years ago.

They made a home in Van Alstyne and Mick and Merry spent the years working the land, raising cattle, bailing hay, and sitting on the back porch enjoying the beauty of the land he loved so much.  His greatest legacy is as a husband, father, and grandfather. When Joe and Kelly were growing up, Mick coached baseball, helped with Boy Scouts, and never missed his children’s games and school events. Being with his grandchildren gave him so much joy. He loved cheering them on in their life endeavors and teaching them about farm life. The family knows how blessed they are to have lived their lives in such a connected way.

Mick never took himself too seriously and he loved to laugh. He found a way to joke about almost any situation and his humor is one of the things his family will miss the most. All those who knew Mick knew that the center of his life was his faith in Christ and his dedication to the work of the church.

Mick was baptized in July 1955 at Thorp Springs church camp. He spent most of his adult life as an active, devoted member of the Van Alstyne Church of Christ. He helped in any way he could and never considered any task to be beneath him. His respect of and love for others were exemplified through his daily actions. His church family sustained him, challenged him, and loved him.

Michael Dan (Mick) Cunningham is survived by his loving wife, Merry Lee Clawson Cunningham of Van Alstyne; his devoted children, Kelly Renea Cunningham Ritchie of McKinney and Michael Joe Cunningham of Allen; his admiring son-in-law, Farrel Eugene Ritchie; and his adoring grandchildren, Laiken Celeste Ritchie, Carson Luke Ritchie, and Nolan Scott Ritchie.  He is also survived by his two loving sisters, Ginger Nicholas and Tami Cunningham Lisheron. In addition, he is survived by numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. This extended family brought him so much joy and he always felt blessed to have been able to share life with all of them. Mick is also survived by his childhood friends, his church family here in Van Alstyne and around the world, and his many friends, from all his years at Texas Instruments.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Hampton Cunningham and Vesta Velma Scott Cunningham.

Services will be on Saturday, April 30, at 2:00 p.m. at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne with a family visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Van Alstyne Cemetery