The AASV is sad to learn of the passing of Dr. John Cunningham, a founding member of AASVP/V. Dr. John M. Cunningham, 79, of Elkader, Iowa, died peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa.
John Michael Cunningham was born on January 8, 1945, in Oelwein, Iowa to Michael Joseph and Helen Augusta (Hoffman) Cunningham. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, Iowa. John grew up on the family farm East of Arlington. He learned the value of hard work helping his parents with the dairy cows, working in the fields and helping his mother every night with the dishes. Being an only child, he loved playing with the neighbor “kids” and his Whitlock cousins. John had handsome red hair, freckles, and sparkling blue eyes, his nickname was “Red”! His school years were spent at the Arlington School. He graduated in the last class from Arlington High School in 1962. In the Fall of 1962, John left the farm and headed to Iowa State University to major in Farm Operations, he received his bachelor’s degree in 1966. He graduated in 1970 from Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine with his doctorate in veterinary medicine.
On August 17, 1969, John and Dawn (Rau) were united in marriage at St John’s. In January 1971, the young couple moved to Elgin, Iowa, placed his vet sign in the front yard and waited for the phone to ring. His office started in the basement and with his wife’s help, they built a successful vet practice. In 1974, he built the Valley Vet Clinic and expanded the practice to include three veterinarians. They had sixteen wonderful years caring for the cattle and hogs in the hills and valleys of NE Iowa. John was dedicated to his practice and a persistent and masterful diagnostician. He became involved with the Pseudo Rabies disease eradication, which continued throughout his career. John cherished the lifelong relationships with his clients and friends.
Three children were born while living in Elgin: Matthew John, Stephanie Ann and Michael Duwain. Going with dad on calls, showing cattle at the fair and family vacations, including many ski trips to Colorado, were special times spent with dad.
In 1987, due to health issues, Dr. John left large animal practice. The family then moved to Milford, NE and Dr. John became a vet field services specialist with Norden Labs in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1997, John was transferred to Pfizer in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. There he became involved in clinical research trials. He traveled the world, investigating swine diseases, speaking at international conventions and educating veterinarians and their clients.
In 2000, John and Dawn semi-retired to Steamboat Springs, Colorado to enjoy his life-long love of the mountains and skiing. He became a member of The American Veterinary Medical Assistant team and was sent to England to study Foot and Mouth Disease and California and West Virginia to investigate NewCastle disease. He worked for the State of Colorado Vet services, the Department of Agriculture and Steamboat Ski Mountain. He was a lifelong member of AVMA and IVMA. While in Colorado John and Dawn began to travel and visited all seven continents. His favorite trip was to South Africa. In 2012, John and Dawn moved home to NE Iowa and his much-loved family farm. Here they reconnected with family and friends and met many new friends. John was an avid Cyclones fan!
John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dawn. His sons: Matthew John of Elkader, IA and Michael Duwain (Andrea) of Maryville, Mo. His grandchildren: Paige (Alex Soto) Cunningham, Kirsten (Blake) Crider, Jacob Cunningham, Kaylee (Matt) Benson, Lukas (Faith) Peterson, Aimee (Emmet Elledge) Cunningham, Trevin, Alyssa and Alex Cunningham. Great Granddaughters: Ivy Elledge and Lucia Soto. Cousin, MeriAnn (Kim) Klocke and the Whitlock cousins. Sisters in-law, Debra (Bob) Huck and family, Detra (Terry) Warren and family, Darla Rau. John was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Helen Cunningham, daughter, Stephanie Cunningham and parents in-law, Duwain and IloMae Rau.
Memorial Fund: Iowa State University Diagnostic Lab & St. John Lutheran Church.
[Source: https://jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com/obituaries/john-cunningham-oct-2024]