Forrest Truesdell Cunningham Jr., LCDR USN (Ret) passed from this life on December 27, 2025, at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Jo (Howard) Cunningham; a sister, Maridell Loomis; a son, Jeff (Joanna) Cunningham; a daughter, Jenny (Tim) Hines; six grandchildren, Jessica Cunningham, Jonathan (Savannah) Cunningham, Katie (Jordon) Williams, Hew McKoy, Grace King (Carson) and Kara (C.J) Kinney; and five great grandchildren.
He was born February 1, 1936 in Bartlesville, OK to Forrest T. and Ruby F. (Fain) Cunningham. He graduated from Bethany Nazarene College (Southern Nazarene University) with a degree in chemistry. He joined the Navy in 1959 and became a career naval officer, serving in 2 Naval Aviation squadrons and in 4 Research and Development commands. He earned the MSEE degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, was designated an Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer, and participated in various capacities in weapon system development.
Following retirement from active duty in 1979, he began a successful consulting practice providing systems engineering, business development, and program management services to the Navy and the defense industry for 27 years. During this same time period he was a member of the faculty and head of the Electronics Technology Department at Johnson County Community College. He was also the developer of the Howards End Subdivision, a 73 acre residential community in western Johnson County.
Forrest loved his Lord and was devoted to his family. He took a particular interest in issues related to their health, their economic wellbeing, and their spiritual growth and development.
With a background in the Church of the Nazarene, he became a member of Christ Church Anglican later in life. He was elected to the Parish Council, served as a liturgical assistant and was involved in local community mission projects. He was a strong supporter of Shelter KC (a Kansas City Rescue Mission) where he participated in the development of the new women's center and contributed to facility upgrades at the men's center.
A Celebration of New Life Service will be conducted at a later date at Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W. 91" Street, Overland Park, KS. Internment, with military honors, will follow.
For those wishing to present a gift in memory of Forrest, in lieu of flowers, please consider Christ Church Anglican and Shelter KC.