Richard "Buck" Cunningham

Richard “Buck” Allen Cunningham, 81 of Ocala, FL was called home to his Heavenly Father on May 2, 2022.  He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family after a 2-1/2 year struggle with heart disease. Richard never gave up and always had a smile to give away.

Richard was born April 20th, 1941 in Latrobe, PA and later moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  He graduated from Stranahan High School in 1959 and attended Broward Community College. In 1963 he graduated from the US Army Signal Corps Still Photography School, Ft. Monmouth, NJ. Richard lost his mother suddenly and left the Army to care for his younger brother and sister.  He remained in the Army Reserves until 1969.  He moved to Ocala in 1980.

Richard worked for Ike Carter Pools in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for 10 yrs., Wometco Theater in Ft. Lauderdale and Ocala for 3 yrs., Silver Springs Sportswear in Ocala for 7 yrs. and E-One in Ocala for 24 yrs. until he retired in 2009. After retiring, Richard volunteered at Munroe Hospital in Patient Visitation for 6 yrs.  He was active in Boy Scout Troops 439 and 440 where his son was a scout. Richard loved Jesus and serving as a Deacon at Redeemer Community Church.  He was given the honor of “Jedi Deacon Emeritus” in 2020 when he could no longer serve.

A Star Wars collector extraordinaire, he thought every home should have 5 life-size lightsabers. He loved movies from a young age, westerns, history, pocketknives (always carrying at least one or five), all things Africa, hats, cats, pulled pork, sugar cookies, wood-working and always having a project going on at home.  Richard was a wonderful loving husband, father, brother and friend.

Richard will be missed but leaves us with so many cherished memories.  He is survived by his wife of 37 yrs., Lana Cunningham; son, Ryan Cunningham, daughters, Cynthia Dubberley and Nancy Rhodes; 4 grandsons; 2 great grandchildren; sister, Deanna Azzopardi; cousins, family through marriage and many close friends who were like family.   He is predeceased by his father, Carl Cunningham; mother, Myrna Vandevort Cunningham and brother, Robert Cunningham.

We welcome all who loved Richard to come honor his life at Redeemer Community Church, 401 SE 19th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471 on Saturday, June 4th, 2022 at 1:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the “Building Fund” at Redeemer Community Church, PO Box 127, Ocala, FL  34478.