- Date Of Birth: March 15, 1943
- Date Of Death: August 27, 2015
- State: Michigan
Raymond “Grizzly” Charles Cunningham
March 15, 1943 – August 27, 2015
Raymond Charles Cunningham“Grizzly”Auburn, MichiganRay passed away Thursday evening August 27, 2015 from a courageous battle of Lew Body Dementia at his residence. His family released him into the arms of his late father and mother; Vern and Beatrice ( Sequin) Cunningham at the age of 72 years. He was born on March 15, 1943 in Mills Twp. Michigan. He retired from GM Powertrain as a millwright. Grizzly had a great love for the outdoors, he was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing, trapping turtles, was a NASCAR enthusiast and most of all he enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren. Ray will be remembered for his great sense of humor, especially the quotes he said to family and friends such as, “Use your head for something else other than a hat rack”, “A day is what you make of it” and “Daylight in the Swamp –everybody up….. “On December 15, 1995 he married his wife of 19 years the former Deborah K. White and she is left behind to cherish his memories along with five children and their spouses; David Ray and Jamie Cunningham, Marcia and Rich Helmreich, Michelle and Larry Campau, Andrea and Doug Wieland and Becky and Joe Stender, 13 grandchildren; Kyle (Kendell), Willow, Danny, Katie, Justin (Brandy), Kendra (Kyle), Matt, Kaylee, Alexis, Terry, Brandon, Sara and Lane, 6 great grandchildren, one brother and sister-in-law; Samuel and Margaret Cunningham, one sister and brother-in-law; Brenda and Mike Torka, several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and partner in crime, Patti Haggitt. Besides his parents Vern and Beatrice he was preceded in death by two sisters; Linda Myers and Mary Ann Retzlof.The family would like to extend a special thank you to McLaren Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice, Kawkawlin Township Fire Department, especially D.J. and Chris, The Nurses and Staff on the 6th Floor at McLaren Bay Region, especially Russ, Diane and Melissa and Dr. Hasagawa for the kind and compassionate care they extended to Ray during the time they cared for him.
