Michael Herman Cunningham

Mike Cunningham was born January 6, 1951, to Herman and Eloise Cunningham in Ardmore, OK.

In his early years, Mike famously needed to learn life lessons the hard way. His high school teachers suggested “he was not college material.” Shop class was not a fit…since he broke everything. Next, he pursued the military…another not-so-great fit. Near the end of his duty, he asked whether there was a possibility that he would be called up for duty in war. Colonel Anderson confidently asserted they would sooner draft women and children before drafting him.

He started several businesses, but none lasted. It was not until the late 1990s when he and his partners formed an investment advisory firm when they made their first critical hire…Joni White. She had worked in childcare up to that point. Mike reasoned that working with his company would not be much different; only that she could not put her bosses in timeout. Joni has served Mike and their clients (Mike Cunningham Investments) all these years. Although she tenders her resignation most days of the week, she keeps coming back.

Mike found success primarily in the fact that he possessed no ego; he simply had nothing to prove. He became convinced that he must put the interest of his employees first. He acknowledged, “If I take care of my employees first, they will take care of my clients.” Guided by his company motto (i.e., “God takes care of fools and idiots, and we sure do appreciate it!”), he found success on behalf of his clients and employees. When he invited his son, Steve, to join the business, Mike’s objective was to bring in a successor who would take care of his employees and clients in the same way. The nepotism continues. Mike was proud that his company is a third-generation business, with the recent addition of his granddaughter - Emma.

He worked as long as he could. When asked about when he would retire, Mike frequently commented, “Clients say nice things about me. I like it when people say nice things about me. Why would I want to stay home?” With complications from Parkinson’s and a stroke, he was no longer able to fulfill his role. Even to the last day of his life, he was visited by clients, family, and employees.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Cunningham and Eloise Hooper. He is survived by his good-looking brother (according to Joni) Mark Cunningham and wife Mary, son Steve Cunningham and wife Paulette, grandchildren Kate Cunningham Gross and husband Tanner, Emma and Lillie Cunningham, Gavin and Phoebe Johnston, Hannah, Toni, and Brian Okon.

In lieu of flowers (which Mike didn’t give two hoots about) the family suggests several options. The family would love to hear your favorite stories about Mike. You can leave those stories on the office voicemail (after hours) at 405-548-8888 or in writing to emma@cunninghaminvestments.net. Also, please consider making a donation to his favorite ministries: Wings - www.wingsok.org (Mike had a soft spot in his heart for people with developmental disabilities) or Arise - www.arisesinglemoms.com (Mike often commented that the hardest job in the world is being a single mom).

Service details to be announced.