Charles Ray Eugene Cunningham

Born: September 12, 1919 in Campbell, New Madrid CO., MO

Married Berniece Lucille Merritt on Oct. 3, 1942

Died: March 28, 2009

Lived 89 years, 6 months, 16 days.

Charles Ray Cunningham - 1920

1926 Campbell, MO

Charles Ray Cunningham

Chalres Ray (left) and brother Jack Cunningham

Lived with his Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lou while he finished his schooling. He graduated from Chaffee High School (Missouri) in 1941.

1959

U.S. WWII Draft Card

Charles Ray Eugene 'Chuck' Cunningham

Charles Ray Eugene "Chuck" Cunningham, 89, of Miles City, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.

Chuck was born on Sept. 12, 1919, in Campbell, Miss., the son of Augustus and Hattie (Bolen) Cunningham. He attended school at Campbell Public Grade School and graduated from Chaffee High School in Chaffee, Miss. At an early age, he learned to play the violin, and music became his lifelong passion. He played his music by ear, and could play any stringed instrument he set his mind to. His uncle Elmer, a violin maker, loved to hear him play. He made a special "fiddle" for his nephew when Charles was still in high school. Following his schooling, Charles served in the Army Air Force during World War II as a synthetic trainer operator. He enjoyed performing country western music for the enlisted men whenever he could get a group of musicians together. He was playing a USO show in Spokane, Wash., when he met his future wife, Berniece. Chuck married Berniece Lucille Merritt on Oct. 3, 1942, in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Following his honorable discharge from the military, the couple lived in Spokane until moving to Helena, where he began his career with the State Employment Service. In 1955, he was transferred to Miles City, where he served as manager of the local employment service office until his retirement in 1976. He spent his retirement years in Hamilton, where the couple purchased a residence with a small acreage and enjoyed gardening and raising their youngest daughter.

Throughout Chuck's life, wherever he lived, he was always able to get a group of musicians together and continue with his music, playing for dances almost every weekend. He was a past president and life member of Musicians Protective Union Local 429, Post Commander of the American Legion, was a member of the Yellowstone Lodge #26 AF&AM, and was a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. He had an old-fashioned sense of humor and could always make people smile.

Chuck is survived by his children, Beverley (Ron) Askin of Miles City, Carolyn Angel of Bozeman, Chuck (Janet) Cunningham of Canyon Creek, and Jean (Kevin) Fisher of Ocean Park, Wash.; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Berniece; a brother, Jack; a daughter, Jacqueline; and a grandson, Patrick.

Gravesides services will be held on Wednesday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at the Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery in Helena with full military honors. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Extended Care, 2600 Wilson St., Miles City, MT 59301, and designated for the "Activities Fund."

Posted in Obituaries on Monday, March 30, 2009 11:00 pm

Notes from interview with Charles Ray:

Worked for $1 a day, a man’s wage. ( $.10 per hour and 10 hours/day) cutting wood with a cross cut saw for neighbor Eb Brewer.

Named after Augustus’brother, uncle Charlie or Charles Henry.

Ray – after uncle Gilbert’s middle name.

Eugene – after Jesse Eugene Cunningham.

Liked to name all his toys Nancy. Tricycle, etc.

Quit school at age 14 to care for Augustus.

Augustus, his father, died when Charles was still 14.

Played fiddle all over the country.

Hired to take 1930 Chevy (with the rear seat out) and sold pork in local towns.

Had a dog named Hayti.

Worked for uncle Gilbert hauling coal.

Brother Jackie died he was 16.

After that he went to Chaffee to school.

Decided to become a professional fiddler. Uncle Charlie (Charles Henry) convinced him to return to school.

Re-took freshman year.

Graduated high school at almost 20.

Sworn in to military 6/2/1941 before war broke out.

Played in band of 7 musicians.

Went to Sunset Field Washington, near Spokane. Later named Geiger Field.

Commanding Officer put him in special services unit to perform for soldiers.

Played once a week on Spokane, WA radio – KNPY?

Frank was upset that Charles joined the Army saying he should have joined the railroad to be exempt.

Performed at Bloodrock(?) Village night club – 1959.

Had a brother named Jack (Jackie) who was born with a club foot and wore a special shoe. Jack had several operations to correct this at the Shriners’ hospital in St. Louis. He later had his appendix rupture. Peritonitis set in. There was nothing they could do for him so the doctors sent him home to die. Was conscious until he died in 1936 at 14.