Mr. James C. Cunningham

August 19, 1962 - August 6, 2016

James Conal Cunningham was born on August 19th 1962 in Miami Florida and returned home on August 6th 2016. He was preceded by his father William James Cunningham and his grandparents Edward Mathis and Esther Hart Cole Mathis. Jim attended Hallandale High School and worked at various times as a baker, binder, mechanic, and handyman. He is most remembered for his volunteer time with Christian Service Brigade (2551) and service in the Hollywood, Centralia, and Asheville Chapels. He is survived by his mother Phyllis Cunningham, his brothers Thomas Cunningham and Phillip Sagona, his sisters Carol Sue Sagona and Lee Ann Chambers, his aunt Carol Tice, and cousins Bryon, Edie, Mathew and their families. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Jim can be made to Asheville Gospel Chapel or Camp Good News (350 Old Haw Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805) A memorial service was held 7:30 PM, Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Asheville Gospel Chapel, 350 Old Haw Creek Road, Asheville, NC. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous Sea, Unknown waves before you roll; At the end of doubt and peril is eternity, Though fear and conflict seize your soul. But just think of stepping on shore – And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand – And finding it God’s! Of breathing new air – And finding it celestial! Of waking up in Glory – And finding it home! When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night, O how lonely death can be; At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light, For death is swallowed up in victory! But just think of stepping on shore – And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand – And finding it God’s! Of breathing new air – And finding it celestial! Of waking up in Glory – And finding it Home! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim was my brother. Even as waves of sadness wash over me they recede a bit more each time leaving memories of Jim’s spirit of life like sand building a beach of dunes. As brothers, we would play, fight, and work together on everything. The fights faded quickly as our relationship grew. Each protecting the other in the face of any adversity; subtly or overtly Jim was determined and unafraid. Even at four years old, Jim’s self-determination revealed to the world as that little boy who would not stay in a place he did not choose. One day we drove to a school that specialized in helping the hearing-impaired function in the world of the hearing as an introduction. His next trip there was as a first day student. Before that day was half over, he decided that he did not wish to be there and promptly walked more than a mile home through the busy streets of Miami. From that day forward, he always would go first into the unknown, fearlessly leading the way for us to follow. Jim was determined and unafraid. During the school years, Jimmy maintained his agency but would always turn the other cheek when faced with confrontation. Sometimes kids would taunt him hurtfully, painfully. Instead of lashing out, he saw through their discomfort with him as a reflection of their own internal fears and struggles. He turned the other cheek though the cost be great. Jim generously gave his time as a servant to others. Jim epitomized that famous note by Einstein that one should seek to be useful in the world and not waste time trying to be successful. Setting up or cleaning up at Chapel functions. Always there to drive be to the grocery store for family or across the state for friends. People knew that whatever their need, they could call Jim. A humble, kind, servant to others Jim was an incredible engineer and could fix anything in any circumstance. The worse the environmental conditions the more focused on complete success he became. On more than one occasion, we would face a challenge and he would solve it. If we had to repair a car to get to work the next morning we might start working on it together but in the end it would be me holding the flashlight in the rain for him past midnight. When a particular part was not available at the local auto repair store Jim would create a part out of old metal lying around with little more than a hammer and screwdriver. Jim was a brilliant engineer and could fix anything under any conditions. Jim was intricate, complex, and beautiful. Regardless of size or scale, everything he crafted from wood was as detailed on the inside as the finest pieces from the great Maters were on the outside. It never mattered to him that people would never see the inside of his creations, it mattered that they were complete in his eyes. Each is as beautiful on the never seen inside parts as they are on the exterior. Each was made from the inside out, Like Jim, intricately and beautifully crafted. Jim showed me how to live. What strength meant. What a man should be on Earth. Striving always to be a reflection of Jesus