Richard Clinton Cunningham

Richard Clinton Cunningham passed peacefully in hospice and with his family, in his home in Albuquerque on July 28, 2026. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Jane; and their two sons, James Cunningham of Albuquerque and Michael Cunningham of Denton, Texas; as well as grandson, Benjamin Cunningham of Hernando, Mississippi. He was predeceased by his parents, Nita and Bruce Cunningham; and by two grandsons, Clinton and Johnathan Cunningham.

Richard was born on January 3, 1938, in Bloomington, Indiana, and later moved with his parents to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he graduated from high school with the class of 1956. Richard earned a Baccalaureate degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration at University of Kansas. Richard and Jane married in 1958 and Richard began his career in Midland, Texas, in 1960 as an Assistant City Manager and Civil Defense Manager.

From there the young family moved on to Savannah, Georgia where Richard served as Finance and Budget Director for the city of Savannah. Later Richard moved on to become the first City Manager of Silver City, New Mexico, and eventually the family settled for a time in Topeka, Kansas, where he was Assistant Director for Kansas Municipal League. The family's final stop was their much-loved Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Richard served as Director of the New Mexico Municipal League.

Richard left public service at that point to return to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to assist in managing and subsequently selling a family business, Daking Mill. After that Richard and Jane returned to their friends and home in Santa Fe where he was asked to join the Meyer Gallery as Assistant Manager of Operations and Sales, beginning a new career that he enjoyed for twenty-two years.

Richard and Jane owned a home they shared with friends and family in Alamos, Mexico, for over two decades where they also participated in community life and shared their care and talents with local families there.

In 2010 Richard and Jane relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Even in retirement Richard kept his hand in civic endeavors, serving on the boards of directors of the Albuquerque Little Theater as well as the Albuquerque Bio Park, where he helped with both funding and the development of the master plan.

Richard and Jane have been strong supporters of the arts in Albuquerque and were active and wonderful neighbors in their Huning Castle neighborhood. Richard could often be found collecting rocks, puttering around his beautiful garden, and chatting with folks walking by morning and evening. He took daily walks with his great companion, Shadow, a lab mix, who also shared his Safety Patrol duties around town. Many were able to visit with him, coming from far and near, in his final days, and he will be very much missed by all.