Ralph M. Cunningham, 98, a former Skagit Valley resident, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 in Edmonds, Washington.
He was born on August 3, 1909 in Friday Harbor, Washington, the son of Charles & Georgia Miller Cunningham.
Ralph was raised and attended school in Concrete, graduating from Concrete High School in 1929. He was the last remaining member of his class. Ralph served with the Civilian Conservation Corps and he later worked for the cement plant in Concrete. During WW II, he served with the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 as an Aviation Machinist Mate 2/C.
On September 22, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lucille Dolan in Seattle and they made their home in Concrete until moving to Lynnwood in 1950. Ralph worked for Washington Iron Works in Seattle as a scaler for 15 years and was a member of the Boilermakers Union.
He enjoyed gardening, wood carving, lapidary work and he was known for his knack for growing dahlias.
Ralph and his wife Lucille will be remembered for the establishment of the Ralph & Lucille Cunningham Scholarship Fund for the Concrete High School which supported many Concrete students in their quest for higher education.
Ralph is survived by a granddaughter, Roxanne Hudson and her husband, John Bellow of Lynnwood; a grandson, Mike Hudson and his wife, Dayle of Bellingham, great-grandchildren, Cory and Brittney Brock of Bellingham and a great-great-grandson, Jamisen Brock of Bellingham. 2 brothers, Norman Cunningham of Woodinville and Robert Cunningham and his wife, Nancy of Reno, NV. 2 sisters, Alice Howlett of Sedro-Woolley and June Durham of Beaverton, OR. Also numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucille in April of 1997, his son, Lloyd Ray Hudson and his wife, Andrea and 3 brothers, Carl, George, and Lawrence.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 2:00PM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Concrete High School in Ralph’s memory.
To view the webcast of the service click here.